As night falls in south London, outreach workers from the homelessness charity Spear navigate through parks and underbrush to check on individuals sleeping rough. Spotting new encampments with sleeping bags and personal belongings, they observe a troubling rise in rough sleeping across the capital’s boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond. According to Peter Bancroft, operations manager at Spear, the increase includes people facing a range of challenges, from complex mental health and substance use issues to those recently impacted by relationship breakdowns or job losses leading to rent arrears.

In his inaugural speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham announced an ambitious commitment to eradicate rough sleeping in England, pledging an additional £340 million in funding to tackle the issue. While homelessness charities have generally welcomed the move, some caution remains given that previous political leaders, including Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer, made similar promises that have yet to stem rising numbers. Current official counts show 4,793 people sleeping on the streets, the highest figure recorded to date.

Burnham’s approach is expected to build on the previously successful "A Bed Every Night" initiative piloted in Manchester, which provided inclusive access to services for all rough sleepers, regardless of their local connections or immigration status. Outreach workers emphasize the importance of cross-agency collaboration, involving drug and alcohol services, mental health providers, and social care, to provide comprehensive support. Bancroft noted that without such coordinated efforts, solutions often fail, underscoring that the ultimate goal is to render homelessness services unnecessary through permanent resolution.

Despite the injection of funds, social housing construction remains slow. Burnham has promised the largest council housebuilding programme since the postwar period, but his housing minister Angela Rayner has acknowledged that targets are still far from being met. This slow pace, coupled with the increasing reliance on hostels and houses in multiple occupation, has raised concerns. Experts warn that congregate living environments may contribute to recurring homelessness, especially among individuals with complex needs.

Francesca Albanese, policy director at the homelessness charity Crisis, highlighted the persistent focus in England on managing homelessness through temporary accommodations rather than ending it. She advocates for the nationwide rollout of the Housing First model, an approach that prioritizes permanent housing combined with tailored support, which has shown strong evidence of effectively reducing rough sleeping.

Personal stories also illustrate the challenges and possibilities. Ray, 53, who experienced years of sofa surfing and homelessness in Liverpool following sudden sight loss, credits his turnaround to obtaining a social home with Crisis's support. He emphasized the need for government responsibility in providing housing access, rather than offloading pressure onto charities. “Housing is a right and shouldn’t be a fight,” he said.

In addition to housing supply, policy factors such as frozen local housing allowance rates have widened the gap between welfare benefits and private rent costs, pushing more people into arrears and homelessness. Charities report a growing number of rough sleepers among recent prison releases and asylum seekers who have exited government accommodation.

Experts caution that national figures likely underrepresent the true scale of rough sleeping, especially among women and LGBTQ individuals who may avoid visible street sleeping. Lucy Campbell of the Single Homeless Project urged Burnham to acknowledge these discrepancies and tailor initiatives to diverse populations rather than relying on generic interventions. The consensus among service providers is clear: addressing rough sleeping requires multifaceted, sustained efforts involving housing, healthcare, social services, and policy reforms to meet the complex needs of those affected.