The government’s commitment to ending rough sleeping is ambitious and welcome. Andy Burnham comes to this with considerable experience. His work in Greater Manchester, including Housing First and a wider homelessness prevention approach, demonstrates an understanding that ending homelessness requires more than simply providing accommodation.

For those of us working in homelessness, the challenge is turning that ambition into action that prevents crisis and helps people stay safely housed long term.

Increasing the supply of genuinely affordable housing must be part of the answer. More homes are desperately needed. But after 20 years working across social care, homelessness and supported housing, one lesson has remained constant: a home provides the foundation for recovery but is rarely the whole solution.