Andy Burnham's tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, particularly his efforts to tackle homelessness, is under renewed scrutiny following his ascent to Prime Minister. His 2020 pledge to eradicate rough sleeping in the region initially showed promise, with numbers dropping significantly, but recent data indicates a concerning reversal in this trend.
Initial figures suggested a notable success, with the number of people sleeping rough in Greater Manchester falling from 268 in 2017 to 90 by 2021. This reduction coincided with national initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic to house rough sleepers. However, the positive trajectory has not been sustained, with the figure rising to 197 in 2025, mirroring a national increase attributed partly to cost-of-living pressures.
During his time as mayor, Burnham introduced several key programmes. The 'A Bed Every Night' scheme, launched in 2018, currently provides over 600 emergency bed spaces. He also championed Housing First, a government-funded initiative rolled out in 2019, which prioritises stable housing for rough sleepers before addressing other complex needs. This programme has reportedly rehoused 458 individuals cumulatively, with 269 currently receiving support.
Despite these efforts, critics, including Conservative Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly and Reform's Robert Jenrick, argue that Burnham ultimately 'failed' to meet his 2020 commitment. They suggest a lack of sustained 'hard work' in addressing the underlying issues. Conversely, charities that collaborated with Burnham and academic experts commend his leadership. Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick of Heriot Watt University noted Greater Manchester's 'ambitious target and the most impressive result in reducing homelessness by 52%' up to 2020, attributing much of this to Burnham's 'high profile political leadership'.
Homelessness organisations and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) point to a critical shortage of social housing as a significant barrier. The GMCA reported over 89,000 households on social housing waiting lists across the region in 2024-25, highlighting the immense demand. Plans are in place to construct 10,000 social homes by 2030, but the current shortfall continues to place considerable strain on services, exacerbating the challenge of reducing rough sleeping.