Government Announces Doubling of Funding to House Rough Sleepers by Christmas

The National Housing Federation, in partnership with housing associations, is working to identify at least 2,000 potential homes and bed spaces, including vacant properties that can be repurposed.

Nevertheless, uncertainty persists regarding whether the identified accommodation will be adequate. It remains unclear how many of the 2,000 units are self‑contained and how many could house multiple occupants.

The latest official data indicate that, on a single night in autumn 2025, 4,793 people were sleeping rough, external in England.

Although homelessness charities have welcomed the government’s emphasis on addressing rough sleeping, many are calling for more ambitious measures in the upcoming Budget.

Forty housing and homelessness organisations have signed an open letter urging the government to reinstate Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to align with local rents, a move they say would curb homelessness and lessen dependence on temporary accommodation.

The Resolution Foundation estimates that over 1.1 million low‑income renters currently experience a shortfall between their housing benefit and the rent they owe, with the disparity projected to hit a record high this October.

It contends that aligning LHA with local rents would mainly assist struggling tenants and help more people remain in their homes.

Housing organisations argue that, although supporting those already rough sleeping is vital, preventing homelessness altogether is essential for the government’s long‑term objectives.

The Bed Every Night initiative, established by Burnham during his tenure as mayor, now offers more than 600 beds each night for individuals who might otherwise be sleeping on the streets.

He pledged to eliminate rough sleeping in Greater Manchester by 2020 upon taking office.

Upon his election in 2017, official figures recorded 268 rough sleepers in Greater Manchester; by 2020 this number had fallen to 125, indicating that Burnham did not achieve his target.

The count decreased to 90 in 2021 but subsequently rose each year, reaching 197 by 2025.

Nationally, government data show that rough sleeping is at its highest level since the recording began in 2010.

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