Funding to double for pledge to offer everybody a route off the streets by Christmas – St Mungo’s responds

Ahead of Monday’s first ever Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street, the Prime Minister will double funding in support of his pledge to offer every single person rough sleeping a route off the streets by Christmas.

Andy Burnham pledged to bring an end to rough sleeping in his very first speech as Prime Minister in July, announcing a £442m funding package to help homelessness organisations like St Mungo’s to reach as many people as possible this winter.

Now, Burnham is to add a further £432m to the initiative, doubling the overall level of funding. 

Responding to the news, Emma Haddad, CEO at St Mungo’s says: “We are delighted to be part of the Prime Minister’s rough sleeping summit, and to play our part in ending rough sleeping for good. This is a hugely important opportunity to turn shared ambition into action, and I’m proud to be representing the people we support. Many of these people will be preparing for another night on the streets while we are behind the doors of Downing Street.

We welcomed the Prime Minister’s initial commitment to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets this winter. But we have always said that support must extend beyond emergency accommodation and beyond Christmas. So the doubling of funding announced today, an additional £432 million, is a vital step towards sustaining progress for years to come.

Rough sleeping is not inevitable. With the right funding, resources and long-term support, no one needs to sleep on a pavement. We are working closely with local authorities, regional authorities and partners to galvanise action and sustainable change.

The key will be to build trusted relationships with people facing the most complex barriers to ending their homelessness and rebuilding their lives. Whether that’s poor physical or mental health, domestic abuse, or alcohol or substance use support needs, we know from our work that this takes time. Offers of a route off the streets will need to be person-centred and go hand in hand with patience and the right kinds of support.

At St Mungo’s, our ambition is clear: to end homelessness and help people affected by homelessness rebuild their lives. We know that no organisation can achieve that alone. It requires a whole-system approach, bringing together government, charities, health and social care, local services and businesses, taking a holistic view of a complex issue. But where there is hope and collaboration, together we can end homelessness.”