Mayor Burnham vows to house rough sleepers before Christmas despite daunting scale

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, unveiled a fresh drive to get people “in from the cold” ahead of the festive period, noting that ending rough sleeping involves more than just supplying shelter.

During a council briefing, Burnham emphasized that homelessness is linked to health, mental‑health and addiction challenges, and that a durable answer must align housing with a range of support services. He cautioned that the undertaking is enormous, yet positioned it as a regional priority as winter draws near.

The mayor’s goal is to house every rough sleeper in the city by Christmas, hinging on collaboration among the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, local charities, health services and police. Although the precise count of street‑sleepers remains undisclosed, post‑pandemic data across England reveal an uptick in visible homelessness, heightening the plan’s urgency.

In the past, Greater Manchester rolled out the “Everyone In” programme amid the peak of the COVID‑19 crisis, temporarily placing thousands into accommodation. Subsequent funding shortfalls and growing demand have pressured the system, leading Burnham to urge a refreshed, multi‑agency approach.

Burnham indicated that the scheme will be evaluated after the holidays to gauge results and inform a longer‑term plan. Housing advocates praised the focus on integrated services, whereas some critics warn that without ongoing funding the benefits could be fleeting. The mayor’s commitment underscores the political pressure on local bodies to tackle rough sleeping before the coldest months arrive.