New prime minister vows to eliminate rough sleeping but faces hidden homelessness crisis
Andy Burnham, the newly appointed prime minister, has pledged to eradicate rough sleeping as a top priority for his government, stressing the urgent need for action to address the rising number of individuals without permanent housing, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking outside Downing Street for the first time since taking office, Burnham declared, “Ending rough sleeping” would be the focus of his administration, placing “the care of people at the heart of everything I do.” He suggested that the issue, often deemed insurmountable, is one a government can resolve if it chooses to act decisively.
The prime minister emphasized immediate collaboration between national and local authorities to marshal the required investment for tackling homelessness. Statistical data from February indicates that on a single night in autumn 2025, approximately 4,793 people were found sleeping rough in England, marking a record high and the fourth consecutive annual increase.
In a statement to The Independent following his address, Helen MacNamara, chair of trustees at homelessness charity Shelter, applauded Burnham’s commitment, calling it “tremendous news.” She acknowledged the significance of placing housing solutions at the forefront of government policy, having witnessed positive outcomes from similar prior initiatives under Burnham’s leadership in Manchester.
“There have been tried and tested ways of tackling rough sleeping,” MacNamara noted, adding that a housing-first strategy appears to align with the new prime minister’s vision. She expressed confidence that Burnham understands the severity of this societal issue and is committed to eradicating it.
However, she highlighted the need for Burnham to also address the growing problem of “hidden homelessness.” With government data revealing 176,000 children without permanent homes, MacNamara underscored the plight faced by families in temporary accommodations, which often lack basic amenities.
The hidden homelessness concern is significant, as highlighted by Crisis, which estimates around 208,600 households experience this form of homelessness frequently. These figures reflect a 30 percent increase since 2020 and reveal a continuous rise in children living in temporary housing, from 175,930 in September to 176,130 by the end of December 2025.
Yvonne Hope, chief executive of Barnabus, a Manchester-based charity, commended Burnham’s approach, expressing high expectations for his administration to effectively address these complexities, given his prior experience and dedication.
No 10 has announced a comprehensive funding package amounting to £340 million aimed at acquiring suitable housing, ensuring urgent support for vulnerable individuals. This funding is in addition to the previously allocated £3.6 billion under the National Plan to End Homelessness, bringing the total investment to approximately £3.9 billion, reinforcing the government’s commitment to this pressing issue.
The evolving landscape of homelessness in the UK raises profound questions about societal responsibility and governmental efficacy. As the new prime minister sets out his vision, the challenge will be to transform these pledges into measurable outcomes for those at risk.
