Brighton and Hove is to receive the second-largest Government grant in England to address street homelessness.

The 1.35 million pound allocation will span the 2026/27 financial year and forms part of a 442 million pound programme unveiled by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The initiative seeks to bring those sleeping rough indoors before Christmas while providing sustained assistance to help individuals rebuild their lives.

The financial package will fund emergency shelter provision alongside practical support covering healthcare and housing needs.

Mr Burnham stated that no individual should have to sleep in doorways or outside railway stations.

He acknowledged that such situations had persisted for so long that Parliament appeared to have become resigned to them.

The Prime Minister declared this unacceptable and confirmed that ending rough sleeping was his first priority upon taking office.

He announced the launch of a nationwide effort to accommodate everyone before the festive season.

Mr Burnham noted that similar outcomes had been achieved during the coronavirus pandemic and expressed confidence in repeating that success, though he emphasised that collective action from all sectors of society would be necessary.

He stated that central Government would provide the funding while appealing to community and industry leaders to contribute at a local level.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s share ranks behind only Liverpool, which has been granted marginally more than 1.6 million pounds.

The investment will additionally support the creation of over 1,000 permanent residences throughout England across the following three-year period, with comprehensive services designed to help occupants maintain stable housing.

Local authorities and regional mayors will hold central responsibilities for implementing the programme and determining how resources are deployed to suit their respective areas.

Several Combined Authorities are also set to receive substantial allocations alongside the council grants.

The Greater London Authority has been assigned over 41 million pounds while Greater Manchester will receive 6.1 million pounds.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner commented that when the Prime Minister committed to eliminating rough sleeping, the Government undertook to progress swiftly from pledges to concrete measures.

She confirmed that this funding represents delivery on that commitment.

Ms Rayner stated that the resources would enable thousands of individuals to leave street living behind, access stable accommodation and obtain assistance necessary for reconstructing their futures.

She emphasised that by collaborating with councils, mayors and charitable organisations, the Government was empowering local areas to address the underlying causes of homelessness.

This approach would provide people with the stability, respect and prospects they deserved while restoring optimism for those who had experienced prolonged neglect.