Andy Burnham Pledges Housing for All Rough Sleepers in Greater Manchester by Christmas

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has committed to providing housing for every rough sleeper in the conurbation before Christmas. This initiative, dubbed 'Everyone In for Christmas', aims to replicate the success of the nationwide "Everyone In" programme launched in March 2020, which saw thousands of rough sleepers housed rapidly at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Greater Manchester scheme will utilise a combination of emergency accommodation, supported housing, and private rented sector options to move individuals off the streets. Local authorities and charities across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester will collaborate to identify and house individuals, offering support for mental health, substance misuse, and employment.

Mr Burnham stated that the programme would draw on lessons learned from the initial "Everyone In" effort, which demonstrated that with sufficient political will and resources, ending rough sleeping is an achievable objective. Critics, however, point to the subsequent rise in homelessness figures nationally following the winding down of the initial scheme, questioning the long-term efficacy of such temporary measures without sustained funding and structural changes to address poverty and housing shortages. The true test of this new initiative will be its ability to provide stable, lasting solutions beyond the festive period.