The Government has announced a £2 billion Rough Sleeping Strategy, which will drive forward the manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping for good. 

This will build on the significant action already taken by the Government, which has driven a 43% drop in rough sleeping since 2019, and rough sleeping has fallen to an 8 year low. As a result, England now has one of the lowest rough sleeping rates in the world. 

This includes up to £500 million over 3 years for the Rough Sleeping Initiative, which this year will help provide 14,000 beds for rough sleepers and 3,000 staff to provide tailored support across England, whilst helping individuals find work, manage their finances and access mental and physical health services.

Alongside this, through the new £200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme an extra 2,400 long-term supported homes will be provided for those with the most complex needs.  This is on top of 3,200 homes that have already been delivered.

In addition to these measures, to break the cycle of addiction and rough sleeping, the Government is also expanding its Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant programme to an additional 20 areas in England, bringing the total to 83. The scheme provides funding for substance misuse treatment services for people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough.

The Government has a manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping in this parliament. This means rough sleeping is prevented wherever possible and, where it cannot be prevented, it is a rare, brief and non-recurring experience.