Chichester charity backs Andy Burnham's rough sleeping ambition
A Chichester homelessness charity has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to end rough sleeping, but warned that tackling the issue will require more than providing accommodation.
Mr Burnham said in his first speech as PM that his ‘first instruction’ would be to ‘end rough sleeping in our country’.
In a subsequent UK Government announcement, Mr Burnham pledged to ‘finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity’.
"For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible,” he said. “I’m not having that.
“This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.
“We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done.
“This is the kind of Britain I want us to be – a country where everyone has the security of a roof over their head, and where no one is left behind or written off. Let’s bring back hope.”
The government outlined an ‘urgent national drive’ to end rough sleeping – setting out a ‘bold ambition to tackle one of the starkest injustices in the country’. It said this will be backed from day one by an additional £340 million – taking overall funding to record levels.
In response, Stonepillow CEO David Francis said ‘ambitious national leadership is important’, but added that ending rough sleeping would only be possible with a focus on prevention and long-term support, as well as crisis response.
He said: "For many having safe accommodation is only the start of the journey to rebuilding their lives."
Mr Francis said homelessness across West Sussex was often linked to a range of issues, including a shortage of affordable housing, financial hardship, poor mental health and relationship breakdown.
"Tackling these root causes is essential if we are to achieve lasting change," he said.
"Stonepillow has long advocated a prevention-first approach that helps people avoid homelessness before they reach crisis point."
He called for more genuinely affordable homes, sustainable funding for homelessness services and better access to health and support services, alongside welfare policies that reflect the realities of the housing market.
Mr Francis said the charity was ‘looking forward to seeing the strategic direction the government will take to truly end rough sleeping’, adding that additional accommodation was ‘only one component of the solution’.
He said: "While meaningful progress can be made quickly, ending rough sleeping altogether will take sustained commitment and investment over time."
The pledge could have a ‘significant positive impact’ in West Sussex if it leads to additional support for prevention, housing and frontline services, he added.
Stonepillow supported 967 people in 2025/26, with 740 people seeking immediate help through its day hubs in Bognor Regis and Chichester.
The charity can provide safe accommodation for 124 people each night across 21 properties, while more than half of the people it supports experience multiple disadvantages alongside homelessness, such as physical and mental health difficulties, domestic violence or substance dependency.
Mr Francis said: "Working alongside local authorities and partners, Stonepillow stands ready to help ensure fewer people become homeless and more people can rebuild their lives with stability, dignity and hope."
The Prime Minister does not believe that the crisis could take decades to solve, saying the government would support councils, mayors, the NHS and other public services to provide urgent help ahead of winter.
The first phase of the programme will provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people experiencing long-term homelessness. The government says the funding is the first part of a wider five-year programme, with further measures to be announced before the autumn.