Rayner triples emergency support package for rough sleepers to £30m

People experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping are eight to 12 times more likely to die prematurely, particularly from chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. People sleeping rough during the winter are at even greater risk of ill health and long-term sickness, the government added. 

The new funding will also continue to support specialist programmes for vulnerable groups sleeping rough, including veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse, alongside outreach staff helping to address substance abuse and provide employment opportunities.

A total of 4,780 people were recorded as sleeping rough in London alone from July to September 2024.

Before that, official figures found there were 3,898 people sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2023, up from 3,069 in autumn 2022 and 1,768 in 2010.

A total of 155 people died sleeping rough in the UK in 2023, according to a count by the Museum of Homelessness project.

John Glenton, executive director of Riverside Care and Support, said: “At a time when rough sleeping in London has reached record levels this additional £20m of funding will help provide much-needed bedspaces this winter.

“As we look towards the comprehensive spending review this year, what the homelessness sector is really crying out for is long-term, ring-fenced funding which will enable councils to invest more money in long-term homelessness services and homelessness prevention.

“We believe increased long-term investment in supported housing would provide more spaces to help get more people off the streets and out of temporary accommodation into a dedicated space where they can receive the support they need.”

He added: “This year it is crucial that the government increases funding for the Affordable Homes Programme and increases the grant to build social housing so that more much-needed social homes can be built.”

The parliamentary Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee launched a short inquiry on rough sleeping in November. Big Issue co-founder Lord Bird walked out of the first inquiry session after telling MPs he did not want to become part of “a farce”. 

Rushanara Ali, minister for homelessness, said: “Behind every sad rough sleeping statistic, there is a person who has been let down by the system for far too long.

“This government is more determined than ever to turn the tide on years of failure to properly invest in our frontline services.”

In the Autumn Budget last year, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £185m for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant and £37m for the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme that will cover ongoing costs to help rough sleepers into longer-term housing and secure more specialist staff supporting their mental health and substance abuse problems.

Ms Rayner is also leading an inter-ministerial group to develop a long-term strategy across the healthcare, justice and education systems, to “tackle the root causes of rough sleeping and get the country back on track to ending homelessness for good”.