The pledge by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make ending rough sleeping a top priority has been welcomed by Chichester’s homelessness charity Stonepillow, but the organisation warned that housing on its own will not solve the problem in West Sussex.
Local services say prevention and support must follow
In his first speech as prime minister Mr Burnham described ending rough sleeping as his “first instruction”, and the government has announced an additional £340 million to back what it called an “urgent national drive”. For frontline charities in Chichester, the headline cash offer is a start — but not the whole answer.
Stonepillow’s chief executive, David Francis, said ambitious national leadership would matter, but that lasting progress depended on preventing homelessness and helping people rebuild their lives after they have been housed. He pointed to factors that commonly drive homelessness in West Sussex: a shortage of affordable housing, financial hardship, poor mental health and relationship breakdown.
"For many having safe accommodation is only the start of the journey to rebuilding their lives."
The charity’s response highlights the range of services beyond providing a roof that local organisations deliver and the pressures they already face. Those services include crisis response, mental health support, help finding work and benefits advice, and longer-term tenancy sustainment work.
- Stonepillow supports people across Chichester and wider West Sussex who are homeless or at risk.
- The government announcement includes a one‑off additional £340m to tackle rough sleeping nationally.
- Local leaders say investment must be matched by a prevention-first approach and sustained support, not just short-term accommodation.
What the announcement means locally
Charities in Chichester already work with local authorities, housing providers and health services to prevent homelessness. If the additional funding is channelled towards prevention and integrated support, it could bolster those partnerships. But Stonepillow’s statement underlines that without tackling the root causes — such as a lack of affordable homes and unmet mental health needs — new housing alone may not keep people off the streets.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| National funding announced | £340 million additional funding |
| Local charity response | Stonepillow: welcome, but calls for prevention and long-term support |
For residents in Chichester, the debate matters because it affects how local budgets and services may be prioritised in the months ahead. Ending rough sleeping will require co-ordination between central government, county and district councils, housing associations and charities — all of which operate in and around Chichester.
Stonepillow’s message is pragmatic: ambitious national targets are welcome, but success will be judged on whether people move from emergency accommodation into stable, supported lives. The charity has long advocated a prevention-first approach that combines crisis help with measures to tackle the underlying issues that push people onto the streets.
As ministers and local leaders respond to the prime minister’s pledge, charities in Chichester will be watching closely to see how the promised funding is used and whether it is sustained long enough to support the longer road back to stability for those affected.
