Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to offer every person sleeping rough in England a safe route off the streets by Christmas is in jeopardy, as rough sleeping rises and suitable housing remains scarce. Official figures show 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% of those counted in June had found accommodation by the end of the month, the lowest level since August 2025, as councils struggle with growing demand for temporary and affordable housing. A record 135,600 households in England were living in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts and hostels at the end of March 2026, about 90% higher than a decade ago.

Minister says a bed will be offered, but not forced

Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi said the government hoped to offer a bed to every rough sleeper by Christmas, but acknowledged a chronic shortage of suitable housing. She said a route off the street may not always mean accommodation, and could instead be a plan around mental health or substance misuse. She added that the offer of a bed would be there for people who want it, but that people cannot be forced off the streets.

Burnham made ending rough sleeping his first instruction when he became prime minister on 20 July. The following month he announced £442 million for what he called the national drive to get everyone in for Christmas, and in October he set out a further £432 million from March 2027. Eshalomi said the lasting solution was building more social and affordable homes, and that she was working with councils and housing associations to bring empty and derelict properties back into use.