Burnham’s Christmas plan for rough sleepers faces housing shortages

Andy Burnham’s pledge to offer every rough sleeper in England a safe route off the streets by Christmas is at risk as rough sleeping rises and suitable housing remains scarce. Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi said the government hopes to offer everyone a bed, but some people may instead receive support for mental health or substance misuse.

There were 8,748 people sleeping rough in England in June, nearly 1,000 more than in January and the highest figure since November 2025. Only 15% had found accommodation by the end of June. Meanwhile, 135,600 households were in temporary accommodation at the end of March, around 90% more than a decade earlier; ministers cite funding and plans to bring empty properties into use, while Eshalomi says building more homes is the lasting solution.