Government Pledges £432 Million to Combat Homelessness
New funding and partnerships aim to extend support and provide accommodation ahead of Rough Sleeping Summit.
Carla Rooney
The government is pledging £432 million to tackle homelessness and support frontline services.
Housing associations prepare to identify at least 2,000 potential homes and bed spaces for individuals moving off the streets. Virgin Media O2 will provide digital connectivity for vulnerable people. L'Oréal partners with St Mungo's and Haircuts4Homeless on a new "Social Salon" initiative.
More than 30 organizations, including commercial businesses and charities, pledge support for the plan through new partnerships. Specialist outreach teams and new accommodation spaces already operate in Coventry. Further provision rolls out in Plymouth and Camden.
The government commits that every rough sleeper will physically move into accommodation by Christmas, or receive support to prevent them from sleeping rough. Ministers state that while some individuals may choose not to accept accommodation, support will still be offered.
National statistics estimated 4,793 people slept rough on a single night in autumn 2025 in England. England's rough sleepers reached a record number last year.
Katie Lam claims Andy Burnham throws another £432 million at a problem he failed to solve in Greater Manchester. Lam further claims that under Labour, rough sleeping hit record highs, yet their answer is always more taxpayers’ money and more empty promises.
Burnham doubles spending on ending rough sleeping to almost £900 million by the end of the current parliament. The Bed Every Night scheme he established as mayor in the region now provides more than 600 beds per night for people who might otherwise be on the streets.