Bury Drop In has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to help everyone sleeping rough move off the streets by Christmas but says emergency action must be backed by lasting support if homelessness is to be ended for good.

The charity said the ambition behind the Government’s £442 million package is welcome, especially as winter approaches, but warned that the lessons of the Covid pandemic must not be forgotten. During the pandemic, rough sleeping fell sharply when the Government’s “Everyone In” initiative provided emergency accommodation for people on the streets. The scheme showed what can be achieved when there is coordinated action, investment and urgency. However, it also highlighted the need for longer-term support, with charities warning that many people still struggled to move into settled accommodation afterwards.

A roof is only the first step:

Bury Drop In said that emergency accommodation alone does not solve homelessness. The charity saw first-hand how people often need continued support once they have a roof over their heads, including help to access healthcare, gain life skills, rebuild their lives and maintain stable accommodation.

Long term solutions needed:

The charity is urging the public to see the Christmas pledge as a starting point rather than the final answer. It says lasting change depends on a multiagency approach, with more affordable housing, better access to health and mental health support, prevention work, and local services that can help people rebuild their lives over time. Bury Drop In will continue to campaign for long-term solutions and work with partners to support people affected by homelessness.

Speaking on behalf of Bury Drop In, Robert Green, Chair of Trustees said:

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to get people off the streets this Christmas. Nobody should have to sleep rough, especially during the winter months. A safe place to stay can be life changing and, in some cases, lifesaving. But we know from 11 years of supporting people experiencing homelessness that emergency accommodation is not enough. People also need ongoing support, healthcare, and strong local services that help them rebuild their lives. If we are serious about ending homelessness, we need long-term investment and practical solutions that stay in place after Christmas. We must make sure people are not simply brought inside for a few weeks and then left facing the same challenges again. Bury Drop In is keen to play our part locally to support this initiative.”

The call comes as Government figures show rough sleeping remains a significant challenge across England. An estimated 4,793 people were sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025, the highest figure recorded and the fourth year in a row that the number has increased.

Bury Drop In says lasting progress will depend on a joined-up approach that combines emergency help with prevention work and sustained support for people once they move into accommodation.

How people can help:

Bury Drop In is urgently asking local people, businesses, churches and community groups to step forward, as the charity expects demand for its services to rise as more people come forward for help, and warns that its resources will be stretched at a time when support is already under pressure.

Anyone who can help is encouraged to act now by donating, fundraising or contacting Bury Drop In directly to offer support. For more information, please visit: www.burydropin.org/get-involved.