Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to end rough sleeping in England, signaling homelessness as a top priority for his government. Speaking prior to assuming office at 10 Downing Street, Burnham stated his first directive to ministers would focus on eliminating rough sleeping, emphasizing a commitment to place “the care of people at the heart” of government policy. He rejected previous claims that ending rough sleeping was an unattainable goal, asserting that with coordinated national and local government efforts and adequate investment, the issue can be resolved swiftly.
The announcement follows government statistics released earlier this year showing that on a single night in autumn 2025, an estimated 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England—a record high and the fourth consecutive annual increase. The findings highlight a worsening crisis despite previous efforts.
Burnham’s promise was welcomed by homelessness charities, including Shelter and Barnabus. Helen MacNamara, chair of trustees at Shelter, praised Burnham’s commitment and referred to his prior experience as mayor of Manchester, where homelessness numbers reportedly began to decline under his leadership. She suggested that a housing-first approach, focusing on securing permanent accommodation before addressing other issues, would likely form the core of Burnham’s strategy.
However, charities also emphasized the need to address “hidden homelessness,” a broader and less visible issue affecting many families and children. According to government data and figures from the charity Crisis, around 208,600 households experience forms of concealed homelessness at any given time. This includes families living in temporary accommodations such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, or overcrowded houses with inadequate facilities. The number of children in such temporary accommodation reached 176,130 at the end of December 2025—a figure that has been steadily rising, increasing by 6 percent year on year.
MacNamara stressed the damaging effects of hidden homelessness on children’s well-being, education, and stability, warning that the new government must not overlook this aspect of the crisis. She noted that while ending rough sleeping is crucial, the housing challenges faced by families living in precarious conditions demand urgent attention.
Details released by No 10 include a £340 million funding package aimed at acquiring suitable homes, identifying those most in need, and providing housing and support without delay. The government said the funds would enable the creation of 1,200 homes and deliver intensive support for at least 3,000 long-term rough sleepers over the next five years. This investment comes on top of a previously announced £3.6 billion National Plan to End Homelessness, bringing total funding to over £3.9 billion.
Yvonne Hope, chief executive of Barnabus in Manchester, expressed strong support for Burnham’s approach, highlighting his determination, knowledge, and empathy toward those affected by homelessness.
As Burnham takes office, the challenge of addressing both visible and hidden homelessness remains significant, with hopes that his promised actions and funding will translate into meaningful progress.