UK rough sleepers to get help off streets by Christmas

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled plans on Wednesday to offer people sleeping rough a route off the streets by Christmas as part of a wider effort to reduce homelessness.

The government said emergency accommodation and long-term housing support would be put in place across England this winter. Areas with the highest levels of homelessness and housing pressure are due to receive the largest share of a boosted £442 million, or $666 million, funding package.

Burnham said the plan followed his pledge on his first day in office to end rough sleeping. The announcement came a month after he replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Government figures put the number of rough sleepers in England at a record 4,793 in 2025. Shelter estimated total homelessness in England at 382,000 in 2025, including people without a permanent residence or secure tenure, as well as families and children.

The government said the funding would provide immediate accommodation and support the creation of more than 1,000 permanent homes over the next three years. It also announced plans for a national summit on rough sleeping later in the year, involving representatives from business, finance, charities, healthcare organisations and faith groups.