Plymouth City Council is to receive £2.6 million over the next three years to tackle rough sleeping and says everyone will be offered a route off the streets by Christmas.

Nearly £600,000 has been awarded this year following new funding outlined in last week’s Budget after Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to make tackling rough sleeping a national priority.

Under the new Rough Sleeping Programme all people who sleep rough will be given a clear path to a roof over their heads and access to specialist support to help them make long term changes. 

The number of people sighted rough sleeping in Plymouth in a month rose from 75 in October 2025 to 106 in September 2026 and the single night figure count increased from 27 to 53 over the same period, reaching a high of 62 in August 2026.

The funding will be used to bolster the work of the Plymouth Alliance – a group of organisations who bring their individual and collective expertise to deliver a wide ranging, person-centred approach. Organisations included are Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, Harbour, Shekinah, the Zone, Plymouth Access To Housing (PATH), Livewell Southwest and Hamoaze House.

It will enable more intensive support for organisations such as Shekinah who work closely with rough sleepers, building up relationships and trust while also providing  access to a wide range of services including co-located GPs, housing, mental health and drug and alcohol teams at their community day centre at Stonehouse Creek.

PATH’s rough sleeper team will continue with their outreach work, getting to know the city’s rough sleepers, their specific needs and signposting them to places where they can get more support.

The plan aims to identify everyone sleeping rough or at risk of returning, allocate a named lead worker and establish a realistic route into suitable accommodation and/or support.

Cllr Matt Smith, cabinet member for housing, city centre regeneration and events, said: “We know that there are always complex reasons why people sleep rough. There is always much more going on with someone than just needing a bed.

“Those who sleep rough have often led challenging life situations or suffered some form of trauma. These issues need support, which has to happen to help people rebuild their lives and enjoy a more stable home.”

A recent report on homelessness to Plymouth City Council’s housing and community services scrutiny panel detailed winter arrangements for people sleeping rough last year and ongoing support.

Sleep Safely, the all-year night shelter at Hamoaze, reopened in November 2024 and provides 12 spaces each night. 

From December 2025 to March 2026 PATH’s Project 58:7 supported 73 people, provided 487 bedspaces over 89 nights and prevented 22 people from spending a first night sleeping rough.

PATH will run Project 58:7 again this winter, delivered with Transforming Plymouth Together, local churches and the Plymouth Soup Run, to provide late-evening access to emergency shelter alongside wraparound support.

During an amber weather warning or three consecutive days below zero last winter, PATH and the council activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol with partners, offering everyone sleeping rough accommodation.

Cold weather provision is also available where conditions may affect wellbeing, but the formal Severe Weather Emergency Protocol threshold has not been met. 

The report said that Devonport House could accommodate an additional eight individuals and George House an additional ten individuals this year.