The government has announced an initial funding package of £340 million over the next three years aimed at ending rough sleeping. Lambeth Council says it will work with ministers and partner organisations to secure a share of the money to expand local housing options and support services for people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.
What the funding will provide
According to the announcement, the opening investment is intended to deliver 1,200 homes and provide intensive support for at least 3,000 people. Council officers in Lambeth say they will engage with government as details of the programme are finalised to ensure the borough benefits from the initiative.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to end rough sleeping which is a blight on society. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home,”
The quotation above is from Councillor Pete Elliott, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Housing, who emphasised the council’s approach of combining secure housing with tailored support rather than temporary measures.
Local picture: past and present activity
Lambeth has already made continued investment in services for people experiencing homelessness despite budget pressures. The council says it continues to spend about £5 million a year on services supporting rough sleepers or those at risk.
Recent local figures and service changes include:
- More than 200 rough sleepers were helped off the streets by Lambeth Council in the last year.
- The council’s recommissioning of its Adult Supported Accommodation Pathway now provides 338 bed spaces for single people with complex support needs.
- The pathway includes hostels with specialist support, assessment beds and move‑on hubs for supported housing.
Why this matters for Lambeth residents
Homelessness and rough sleeping remain visible and pressing issues in the borough. Lambeth has a large housing register and high demand for temporary accommodation, so any additional central funding could help reduce pressure on local services and free up supported accommodation for those in greatest need.
The council says it will coordinate with local charities and providers to ensure new resources are used to secure longer‑term housing solutions combined with personalised support for people with complex needs.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Government opening investment | £340 million |
| Homes to be provided (national) | 1,200 |
| People to receive intensive support (national) | 3,000 |
| Lambeth annual investment in rough sleeping services | £5 million |
| Adult Supported Accommodation Pathway bed spaces | 338 |
The council’s statement stresses that ending rough sleeping requires more than temporary fixes and that the borough’s existing model — secure housing plus tailored support — would be central to any expansion of services funded by central government.
As national ministers set out further details of how the funding will be allocated, Lambeth officials say they will press for resources that match local need and complement services already commissioned in the borough.
