Homelessness pledge at risk as ex-prisoner numbers rise, warns charity

A charity has cautioned that Andy Burnham's commitment

A charity has cautioned that Andy Burnham's commitment to ending rough sleeping in England could be jeopardized if the government does not prioritize housing for inmates being released from prison.

According to an analysis by Nacro, a social justice organization, nearly 16% of individuals leaving jails in England and Wales during the past year were released into homelessness—the highest proportion seen in half a decade.

This trend, the charity argues, undermines the mayor of Greater Manchester's target to eradicate street homelessness, as a growing number of former prisoners struggle to find stable accommodation upon their release.

Nacro is urging policymakers to treat housing as

Nacro is urging policymakers to treat housing as a fundamental component of the release process, emphasizing that without secure homes, efforts to reduce rough sleeping will remain incomplete.

The findings highlight a systemic issue, with experts calling for immediate action to bridge the gap between prison discharge and housing provision to prevent further deterioration of the situation.