Mayor Burnham pledges to shelter rough sleepers before Christmas despite daunting scale

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced a new push to bring people "in from the cold" before the holiday season, underscoring that the challenge of ending rough sleeping extends beyond simply providing roofs.

Speaking at a council briefing, Burnham stressed that homelessness is intertwined with health, mental‑health and addiction issues, and that any lasting solution must coordinate housing with a suite of support services. He warned that the task is massive, but framed it as a priority for the region as winter approaches.

The mayor’s target aims to shelter all rough sleepers in the city by Christmas, relying on a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, local charities, health providers and the police. While the exact number of people currently sleeping on the streets is not disclosed, recent trends across England have shown a post‑pandemic rise in visible homelessness, adding urgency to the plan.

Greater Manchester has previously launched initiatives such as the “Everyone In” programme during the height of the COVID‑19 crisis, which temporarily moved thousands into temporary accommodation. Since then, funding constraints and rising demand have strained the system, prompting Burnham to call for a renewed, multi‑agency effort.

Burnham said the initiative will be reviewed after the holiday period to assess progress and shape a longer‑term strategy. Housing advocates have welcomed the emphasis on integrated services, while some critics caution that without sustained investment the gains may be short‑lived. The mayor’s pledge highlights the political pressure on local authorities to address rough sleeping before the coldest months set in.