UK pledges £442m to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas

The UK government has pledged £442 million to help rough sleepers in England find stable housing by Christmas, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced. The funding will provide emergency accommodation and practical assistance with housing, health, and other needs, aiming to get people off the streets while also helping them transition to settled homes.

This pledge follows Burnham's commitment to end rough sleeping upon taking office, as stated one month ago. A national summit is being organized in the autumn to involve various sectors in addressing the issue. The £442 million package is fully funded from uncommitted budgets at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Rough sleepers are individuals who live or sleep in places not intended for human habitation, such as streets or doorways, due to lacking stable housing. Burnham emphasized that no one should have to sleep in doorways or outside stations and that the government will work with communities and sectors to achieve this goal. Over 1,000 settled homes are planned over the next three years, with the majority of funding going to areas facing the most significant pressures.

The government also published guidance to help local authorities mobilize quickly and provide consistent support to those experiencing rough sleeping, with a specific focus on women who may be underrepresented in official statistics and face higher risks of violence and abuse.