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Burnham launches ‘national drive’ to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Mayor Andy Burnham launched a national campaign to house all rough sleepers in England by Christmas, pledging an additional 100 million pounds.
  • Burnham argued that rough sleeping has become commonplace and likened the initiative to a COVID-style national effort.
  • While homelessness campaigners welcomed the move, they stressed that more sustained action is needed beyond the winter deadline.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has declared a "national drive" to get every rough sleeper in England off the streets by Christmas. He is pledging an additional 100 million pounds to fund the initiative, building on a previous 442 million pound commitment.

Burnham, writing in The Guardian, described the prevalence of rough sleeping as a national issue that has become "part of the scenery." He is urging local leaders across England to participate in what he envisions as a COVID-style national campaign to address the crisis.

I won’t abandon anyone to sleep rough on our streets. That’s my £442m promise

— Andy BurnhamMayor Andy Burnham's stated promise regarding homelessness.

Homelessness campaigners have welcomed the mayor's commitment. However, they caution that while the Christmas deadline is a significant goal, sustained efforts and resources will be necessary to ensure long-term solutions and prevent people from returning to the streets.

feels like part of the scenery

— Andy BurnhamBurnham's description of the commonality of rough sleeping in The Guardian.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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