Winter Crackdown: £12 Million Boost to Shield Rough Sleepers from Cold and Covid
The government has launched a hefty £12 million fund to protect rough sleepers this winter. The cash aims to get the homeless off freezing streets and out of harm’s way from coronavirus. This winter, councils and community groups will have more resources and clear Covid-safe guidelines to help Britain’s most vulnerable.
£10 Million Cold Weather Fund Plus £2 Million for Faith Groups
- £10 million Cold Weather Fund to help councils provide more self-contained accommodation for rough sleepers.
- Additional £2 million handed to faith and community groups for secure shelter options.
- New guidance with Public Health England, Homeless Link, and Housing Justice to run safer shelters where absolutely necessary.
These boosts build on the massive £266 million Next Step Accommodation Programme (NSAP), designed to keep people safe while preventing returns to the streets.
Government and Experts Speak Out
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:
“As winter closes in, our focus is clear — protecting rough sleepers from deadly cold and Covid. This funding and guidance mean councils and community groups can offer vital support and safe spaces this season. The government is investing over half a billion pounds this year alone to tackle homelessness and speed up thousands of new homes.”
Minister for Housing Kelly Tolhurst added:
“Winter is brutal for those sleeping rough. These extra measures not only protect them from freezing weather and Covid, but also help them move into longer-term accommodation. The effort from councils, providers and the NHS during the pandemic has saved lives, and this funding keeps that momentum going towards ending rough sleeping for good.”
Kathy Mohan from Housing Justice warned:
“Cold weather shelters are mostly run by volunteers on shoestring budgets, driven by compassion for those without homes. They worked tirelessly through the first Covid wave to transfer people into safe, self-contained spaces. The new Night Shelter Operating Principles will help over 150 organisations make tough decisions this winter with confidence.”
Rick Henderson, Chief Exec of Homeless Link, urged caution:
“No one should face a brutal choice between freezing streets or unsafe shelters. Night shelters must only open as a last resort when self-contained options aren’t available. We welcome today’s operating principles to keep shelters as safe as possible and the new £2 million fund to transform spaces into proper emergency accommodation.”
Big Plans to End Rough Sleeping for Good
The government promises that no one will be left homeless this winter. Since the pandemic began, more than half a billion pounds have been pledged to help rough sleepers. Soon, 3,300 additional homes will be announced nationwide, giving vulnerable people a fresh start away from the streets.
Backed by £433 million over four years, plans will deliver 6,000 new homes tailored for former rough sleepers. The multi-million-pound Next Steps Accommodation Programme supplies councils with funds to stop people from slipping back onto the streets.
London alone received £19 million to offer move-on housing and emergency shelters. Public Health England and sector experts helped create strict operating standards for any shelters that must open, making sure safety remains the priority.
Cold Weather Fund History and Covid Support
Since 2018, the Cold Weather Fund has helped councils boost emergency and supported housing, including renting private sector spaces to move people off the streets quickly. The government insists ending rough sleeping within this Parliament remains a top priority.
In total, £4.8 billion has been handed to councils to tackle Covid impacts, including supporting homeless people. With more funding and clear guidance, the government is pressing forward to break the cycle of homelessness once and for all.
