Clacton-on-Sea, England, UK, 13 August 2026: Makeshift bed in a doorway of a former Santander Bank branch. Andy Burnham has announced the next step in his bid to end rough sleeping with a goal to offer everyone who needs it a route to get off the streets by Christmas. The prime minister wants to use a boosted £442 million package to roll out new accommodation and support across England, inspired by supportive packages used during the Covid pandemic. Burnham is today announcing an additional £102m for his national drive, having already unveiled £340m in July. This funding comes from the budget already allocated to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government which had not been committed to new projects. The government says the money will help local areas deliver more than 1,000 settled homes over the next three years, along with intensive wraparound support. Areas with larger pressures with receive more backing, alongside guidance to help local leaders mobilise quickly in time for Christmas. That includes offering adequate provisions for women experiencing rough sleeping, as they may be at greater risk of violence, abuse and exploitation. Burnham will also host a “first of its kind” national summit in the Autumn to unite leaders from different sectors to ask how they can help his national plan. The PM announced on his first day in No.10 last month that he had an ambition to end rough sleeping. Burnham wants the country to work together to help reach this goal, and ensure people affected also have a foundation to rebuild their lives. He also hopes this will boost the UK as a whole considering research from Crisis suggests preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers approximately £370 million. Burnham said: “We did it in the pandemic. We can do it again. But it needs all of us. Government will put the money in. But I’m asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too. “Let’s get people out the cold. And let’s bring back hope.” It’s worth remembering the empty commercial hotels during the pandemic meant there was more space for rough sleepers. Housing secretary Angela Rayner said: “This funding will help thousands of people leave the streets behind, move into secure homes and get the support they need to rebuild their lives. “Working alongside councils, mayors and charities, we’re backing local areas to tackle rough sleeping at its roots, giving people the security, dignity and opportunity they deserve, and restoring hope to those who have been let down for far too long.” But shadow housing secretary James Cleverly suggested Burnham still did not have a plan for delivery. He said: “Andy Burnham promised to end rough sleeping in Manchester, and failed because he didn’t do the hard work necessary. “Now he is pledging to end it nationally without any plan for delivery. And as with many of his other commitments, there is very little detail on how this one will be paid for. “It doesn’t help that Labour have failed to control our borders and are now moving asylum seekers into HMOs, making it even harder for homeless people to find accommodation. “Labour must come clean on what other programmes they are cutting to pay for this project. Otherwise, struggling families will fear that yet more Labour tax rises are on the horizon.” Reform UK’s shadow business secretary Richard Tice was also sceptical, saying:“We’ll believe it when we see it. Andy Burnham’s record on homelessness has left a lot to be desired. “As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he promised to eradicate rough sleeping. In actual fact, homelessness in the city-region increased every year since 2021. “This is yet another vague announcement with no substance which uses our most vulnerable for political point scoring.” Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Andy Burnham Says He Is Not Embarrassed Over Texting Fake Trump Aide Homelessness Minister Said To Have Kicked Out Her Own Tenants, Then Hiked Up The Rent 'No Empathy': Rishi Sunak Condemned Over Reaction To Child Homelessness Question