‘Local services are vital’: Former rough sleepers on what helped them off the streets
As Andy Burnham hosts a rough sleeper summit, frustration mounts over ‘ridiculous bureaucracy’ and lack of hostel places Martin Fletcher had been homeless for more than 20 years af
By The Guardian
Martin Fletcher says a charity’s practical, non-judgemental support helped him leave behind more than two decades of homelessness.
The 61-year-old had been homeless for more than 20 years after losing his job. He eventually secured accommodation in Sunderland in 2024.
Fletcher said the main change came from recognising that he was getting older and could not continue living through rough sleeping and sofa surfing indefinitely.
He also credited support from a charity that did not overwhelm him with paperwork. Instead, staff made him a cup of tea, listened to his situation and worked out what help he needed.
“They didn’t bombard me with forms,” Fletcher said. “They made me a cup of tea and built up a picture of what I needed and helped me get back on track.”
His experience comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosts a rough sleeping summit at Downing Street, bringing together charities, businesses, housing providers and local leaders.
The summit follows a government pledge to offer every person sleeping rough in England a route off the streets before Christmas. A further £432 million is expected to be announced in the Budget to support the plan, which would take total rough sleeping funding to £874 million.
Burnham has said the aim is to ensure that every rough sleeper receives an offer of help by the end of the year, while acknowledging that not everyone will be able to accept it or immediately change their circumstances.
The National Housing Federation is due to work with housing associations to identify at least 2,000 potential homes and bedspaces.
Other commitments include a social salon partnership involving L’Oréal, St Mungo’s and Haircuts4Homeless.
Fletcher’s account highlights the importance of personal support alongside accommodation, particularly for people who may struggle with complex forms or official processes.