Statement in response to Prime Minister’s pledge

YMCA South Midlands welcomes Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to make ending rough sleeping a national priority, alongside action on the cost of living, supporting young people into work and investing in affordable housing.

The cost of living continues to place enormous pressure on young people, with rising housing costs and everyday expenses pushing more people towards homelessness. These challenges can quickly lead to housing insecurity, unemployment and poor mental health without early support.

Homelessness extends far beyond those sleeping on the streets, with many people living in insecure or temporary accommodation. Recent research from Shelter shows that around 2,700 people in Milton Keynes are experiencing insecure housing – around one in every 113 residents – making it one of the highest rates in England. Prevention, affordable housing and early intervention must remain at the heart of the response.

At YMCA South Midlands, we see every day how safe accommodation, employment support, mental health services and opportunities to build skills help people regain stability and independence.

While we welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment, we also look forward to seeing the detail behind these pledges in the coming months, including how they will be delivered, funded and measured, to ensure they achieve meaningful, lasting change. We know that ending rough sleeping and tackling the cost of living are not simple fixes. They require sustained investment, joined-up working and long-term commitments to addressing their root causes.

We look forward to working with the Government, local authorities, housing providers and voluntary sector partners to turn these ambitions into lasting change for people in our community.