Following our persistent campaign over recent months, we are pleased that the Government has announced £233 million for local authorities to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, as set out by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 30 October.
Though the Chancellor did not confirm an extension of Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) funding, we are pleased that £233 million has been confirmed for local authorities to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness for 2025-26 to help meet demand and avoid the cliff-edge when RSI funding is due to end at the end of the financial year.
We also welcome confirmation that in the next phase of the Spending Review, the Treasury will work with MHCLG and others in the cross-government taskforce to address homelessness and rough sleeping in the long-term.
This year St Mungo’s, working with partner organisations and supporters called on the Government to extend Rough Sleeping Initiative funding. The vital funding is due to end at the end of March 2025, despite increasing demand for services as the number of people experiencing rough sleeping continues to rise.
Last year, rough sleeping in England increased by 27%, with almost 4,000 people on the streets on a given night. Rough sleeping in London has also hit record levels with almost 12,000 people recorded as rough sleeping in the capital.
We look forward to working closely with the Government to make progress on ending homelessness. We hope that the positive news today reflects the Government’s long-term commitment to sustainable funding for tackling homelessness.
