Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced a plan to house rough sleepers across England before Christmas, reviving tactics from the pandemic-era "Everyone In" program. The initiative aims to provide immediate shelter and support to people experiencing homelessness during the winter months.
Burnham's proposal draws directly from the successful 2020 "Everyone In" campaign, which rapidly housed thousands of rough sleepers when COVID-19 lockdowns began. That program paired emergency accommodation with wraparound services including mental health support, addiction counseling, and employment assistance. The current plan follows similar principles, mobilizing local authorities and housing partners to identify vulnerable individuals on the streets.
The timing aligns with winter pressures on homelessness services. Cold weather shelters typically activate during these months, but Burnham's plan goes further by offering sustained housing rather than temporary beds. The initiative targets rough sleepers across the country, not just Greater Manchester.
Local councils and housing associations will coordinate placements. The program includes funding for accommodation and support workers trained in trauma-informed care. Partners will connect individuals to longer-term housing solutions while addressing underlying causes of homelessness such as mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
Burnham framed the announcement as a moral imperative and economic necessity. Housing rough sleepers costs less than managing their contact with emergency services, a point he emphasized to skeptical local authorities facing budget constraints. He called on the government to provide sustained funding beyond the Christmas period, warning that one-off initiatives fail without long-term commitment.
The plan reflects growing momentum among UK mayors and city leaders to address homelessness through housing-first approaches rather than enforcement-based strategies. Critics argue the government should fund such initiatives permanently rather than relying on seasonal emergency measures. Burnham's push signals that rough sleeping has become a competitive priority among local leaders seeking to demonstrate tangible results on a visible urban issue.