Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out his plan to end rough sleeping on Tuesday night. The initiative has been met with widespread scepticism from rough sleepers and those working in the homelessness sector.
Burnham has likened his plan to the "Everyone In" scheme, which housed thousands of rough sleepers, primarily in hotels, during the Covid pandemic. He stated, "We got people out of the cold because, as a country, we decided it had to be done. We can do it again."
However, many working in the homelessness sector have warned that recreating this outcome will be challenging. Adam Soliman, a deputy manager at St Mungo’s, noted that while the "Everyone In" scheme was successful in providing immediate shelter, it did not always lead to long-term solutions due to a lack of permanent housing options. Lesley Howard, head of homelessness at Change Grow Live, emphasised the need for long-term funding and a comprehensive approach beyond simply providing temporary accommodation.
Government guidance indicates that councils should utilise studio flats, shared houses, supported accommodation, B&Bs, hostels, and night shelters to house rough sleepers in the coming months.