Key Point
- Bolton is set to receive nearly £1 million as part of an £8.2 million allocation to North West local authorities from a national £84 million government fund to combat homelessness and rough sleeping.
- The funding prioritises support for children and families in temporary accommodation, covering essentials such as food, school travel, laundry, Wi-Fi, and uniforms.
- The announcement, made on World Homeless Day (10 October 2025), forms part of a wider £1 billion government investment to end homelessness and rough sleeping.
- Nearly £70 million of the national package is allocated to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, supporting 62 local authorities including those in the North West.
- An additional £11 million is dedicated to helping families with children in temporary accommodation access basic facilities and manage living costs.
- The funding follows record levels of households in temporary accommodation, including nearly 170,000 children nationally, and rising rough sleeping rates.
- The government plans to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 by spring 2026, decriminalising rough sleeping after 200 years.
- This support complements Bolton’s earlier receipt of £29.4 million from Greater Manchester for 2,025 new homes on brownfield sites, aiding long-term housing regeneration.
What Is the Scale of the National Homelessness Funding Package?
As reported by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, a new £84 million cash injection has been announced to help prevent homelessness and support families this winter. The funding, revealed on World Homeless Day (10 October 2025), builds on the government’s record £1 billion investment this year to end homelessness and rough sleeping. According to the official government release, the package includes nearly £70 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, which will support 62 local authorities in providing tailored services such as mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment, and sustainable accommodation. An additional £11 million is allocated to help families with children in temporary accommodation access basic facilities like Wi-Fi, laundry, school travel passes, and uniforms, while also assisting with food and leisure costs.
How Is the Funding Being Distributed Across England?
The regional breakdown of the £84 million shows that London will receive £36.5 million, the South East £9.6 million, the South West £9.1 million, the East of England £4 million, the East Midlands £5.3 million, the West Midlands £4.4 million, the North East £1.5 million, the North West £8.2 million, and Yorkshire & Humber £5.2 million. The £8.2 million allocated to the North West includes funding for Bolton and other local authorities in the region, as confirmed by Yahoo News UK. This distribution aims to prioritise areas with the highest pressures, ensuring that support reaches communities most affected by homelessness. The funding is flexible, allowing local councils to strengthen services, partner with charities, and provide immediate relief to those at risk of sleeping rough.
What Specific Support Will Bolton Families Receive?
While the exact allocation to Bolton has not been itemised, the £8.2 million for the North West is intended to support families in temporary accommodation with essentials such as food, school travel, laundry services, and access to Wi-Fi and travel passes. As stated by Alison McGovern, the Minister for Homelessness, “You can’t have a decent life without a decent home”. The funding will be directed to 61 areas with the highest numbers of children in temporary accommodation, ensuring they can access necessary facilities and support during their stay. According to Dr Laura Neilson, CEO of Shared Health, temporary accommodation often lacks the five basics essential for wellbeing: cooking facilities, laundry access, Wi-Fi, secure storage, and clear information. This funding aims to address those gaps, improving health and education outcomes for homeless children.
What Has Been Said by Government Officials About the Crisis?
Housing Secretary Steve Reed described homelessness as “a moral stain on our society,” stating that
“growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions”.
He added,
“This government will not stand idly by and allow that to continue. That’s why we are investing £1 billion to give homeless people the security of a roof over their heads and get back on track to end homelessness for good”.
Similarly, Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern emphasised that
“whether it’s rough sleeping or sofa surfing or, at its worst, children stuck in B&Bs, homelessness in the UK has been too high for too long. This has to stop”.
The government also confirmed plans to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 by spring 2026, ensuring rough sleeping is no longer a criminal offence.
How Does This Funding Fit Into Bolton’s Broader Housing Strategy?
This latest funding complements Bolton’s ongoing housing regeneration efforts. In September 2025, Bolton received over £29.4 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund to build 2,025 new homes on brownfield sites such as Moor Lane, Rivington Chase, and Farnworth Green. Bolton Council Leader Cllr Nick Peel stated the Brownfield Housing Fund
“is the perfect example of how Bolton benefits from being a key partner in Greater Manchester,”
highlighting the council’s progress in urban regeneration. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham noted that since 2020, over £228 million has been invested in brownfield sites across the region, supporting the target of 75,000 new homes by 2030 while protecting green spaces. This long-term strategy aligns with the government’s “Plan for Change,” which includes abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions and a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing.
What Are Charities and Advocacy Groups Saying About the Announcement?
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, welcomed the funding, noting that
“winter is a particularly challenging time for people affected by homelessness, so this injection of funding will be invaluable”.
He called for a “clear and comprehensive strategy” and longer-term funding to enable sustainable interventions. Sean Palmer, Executive Director at St Mungo’s, echoed this, stating the funding will help services support people off the streets and into emergency accommodation. Simon Gale, CEO at Justlife, stressed the importance of ensuring the money reaches frontline services so that temporary accommodation is “genuinely short, safe and healthy”. Matthew Bolton, CEO of Citizens UK, welcomed the £11 million commitment, calling it a “lifeline” that gives children “a sense of stability and hope”. He reiterated the campaign for the “five basics every family deserves”: somewhere to cook, wash clothes, connect online, store belongings safely, and be kept informed.