Funding set to double for plan to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas
The UK government is doubling funding to £874 million to support Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to provide accommodation for all rough sleepers in England by Christmas. The initiative aims to provide both emergency housing and long-term support through the end of the current Parliament.
Why it matters
This policy represents a significant fiscal commitment to addressing homelessness, though it faces criticism regarding the efficacy of previous efforts.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, The pledge was one of Burnham's key early announcements after becoming prime minister in July
Funding is set to double to support a pledge by the prime minister to give every rough sleeper in England a route off the streets by Christmas.
Ending rough sleeping was one of Andy Burnham's first promises when he entered Downing Street, announcing a £442m package to provide emergency accommodation and practical support.
On the eve of the first Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street on Monday, No 10 has indicated a further £432m will be added to the initiative in Wednesday's Budget.
Shadow housing secretary Katie Lam said rough sleeping had hit "record highs under Labour" and criticised Burnham for failing to end rough sleeping when he was the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
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