Ending Rough Sleeping Requires More Than Just Housing

What Lies Beyond the Shelter

When I first reported on Andy Burnham's initiative to end rough sleeping in England, I was struck by the ambition of his target: getting everyone off the streets by Christmas. It's a noble goal that speaks to our collective values and humanitarian instincts. But as someone who has spent years covering housing policy and social services, I know that homelessness isn't simply about lacking a roof over one's head.

The challenge is not just about finding homes—it's about creating sustainable pathways out of homelessness. That's why Bill Lewis, a former rough sleeper in Harlow, remains skeptical about the government's approach. His experience, which spanned multiple cycles of stability and relapse, shows how complex the issue truly is.

"It's not just a housing issue," Lewis says. "Getting everybody off the street – great, it's fine – but the problems don't end there."

The Hidden Costs of Living on the Streets

For Lewis, his time on the streets began during a harsh winter in 2017, when he was living in a tent near St Paul's church. His downward spiral was fueled by drug use—a common thread among those experiencing homelessness, but not always the root cause.

I've seen this pattern repeatedly in my reporting. Substance abuse often serves as both a coping mechanism and a symptom of deeper problems—mental health struggles, trauma, or systemic failures that leave individuals vulnerable. Lewis credits charity support and faith for helping him break free from addiction, but he's clear that these are not universally available resources.

Harlow's Growing Crisis

The situation in Harlow is emblematic of a wider national challenge. Kerrie Eastman, who has led Streets2Homes since 2010, reports a troubling increase in rough sleepers. The charity's data shows that the average nightly number of people sleeping rough in Harlow rose by 30% over the past year.

What's driving this rise? One major factor is the growing gap between housing benefits and actual rent prices. In Harlow, the local housing allowance falls significantly short of what it takes to secure even a basic shared accommodation. For instance, the allowance for private shared accommodation is £451.34 a month—while rooms typically cost around £730.

As Eastman points out, this financial shortfall makes it nearly impossible for people to find and maintain stable housing. Even with support from organizations like Streets2Homes, the system often fails to provide the comprehensive care needed for those with complex needs.

A Model of Hope or Limitation?

Streets2Homes has made some progress through its two Victorian cottages offering supported accommodation and its new modular "pods" donated by a local developer. These units have housed individuals with varying degrees of need, and the charity reports only a small number of people have returned to the streets.

But as Eastman notes, these are not enough for those who require intensive mental health support or long-term addiction treatment. She's concerned that without additional resources and services, even the most promising housing-first approaches will fall short.

"You need mental health nurses – they need mental health support, they need so much more," Eastman says. "It's not just about putting a roof over someone's head."

The Government's Promise vs. Reality

The government's announcement of £442 million in additional funding over three years to combat rough sleeping is significant. The plan includes emergency accommodation, practical help with housing, health, and other needs, with the goal of providing a route off the streets by Christmas.

But the effectiveness of this strategy depends heavily on whether it includes long-term support systems. Harlow's Labour MP, Chris Vince, acknowledges that the government's approach is ambitious and potentially achievable—but only if it doesn't stop at housing.

I've seen similar commitments in other areas, where initial funding was followed by budget cuts or misalignment with service delivery needs. Without proper oversight and sustained investment, even large financial commitments risk becoming hollow promises.

What's Really Needed

Ending rough sleeping must be a comprehensive effort that recognizes the interplay between housing, health, employment, and social services. My conversations with those working directly with homeless individuals make it clear: we need more than just shelter. We need coordinated care that addresses underlying issues such as mental illness, addiction, and trauma.

That means integrating health services into housing programs, ensuring access to job training, and providing ongoing support beyond the initial move-in period. The success of initiatives like Streets2Homes in Harlow shows what's possible when these elements come together.

But scaling up such efforts requires political will, consistent funding, and collaboration across sectors—something that has proven elusive in recent years.

Looking Forward

While I remain cautiously optimistic about the government's intentions, my experience tells me that true change happens when policy aligns with practice. The challenge now is ensuring that Burnham's vision translates into effective implementation.

We can't afford to treat rough sleeping as a simple housing problem—we must treat it as a societal issue that demands a societal response. Only then will we be able to meet the goal of ending rough sleeping by Christmas, and more importantly, keep people from falling back into homelessness in the future.