River Network Charity has today warmly welcomed the historic directive launched by the newly appointed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to completely eradicate rough sleeping across the United Kingdom. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Burnham announced an immediate, nationwide housing-first drive, declaring, “I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction—to end rough sleeping in our country.” Backed by a record £340 million opening investment to fast-track 1,200 secure homes, the policy marks a revolutionary shift toward a preventative state [uk_gov].
For River Network Charity—a leading provider of crisis housing, transitional accommodation, and holistic support across Derbyshire—the directive provides a vital blueprint to scale up local operations. The charity’s leadership believes that the government’s focus on empowering local authorities is the exact “circuit-breaker” needed to solve homelessness permanently [red_brick].
Terry Eckersley, CEO of River Network Charity, commented:
“This is a monumental, watershed moment for the frontline housing sector. Hearing Prime Minister Andy Burnham state, ‘I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction—to end rough sleeping in our country,’ brings immense hope to our teams and the vulnerable individuals we serve every single day [uk_gov]. For too long, the system has been reactive, but this massive £340 million injection allows us to build a true preventative state that tackles the root causes of homelessness [uk_gov, red_brick].
As a charity deeply embedded in Derbyshire, we are incredibly excited about the prospects of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and this mandate. Giving local councils more empowerment and accountability is exactly how we win this fight. Local authorities understand their communities best. By empowering them with real resources and holding them accountable for delivery, we can break down bureaucratic silos and seamlessly integrate River Network’s housing, mentoring, and mental health services directly into regional strategies [uk_gov].
Crucially, we must ensure that housing law actively helps rather than prevents progress. Legislation must be a tool that serves and genuinely cares for people, exactly as promised today. We need a legal framework that cuts through red tape, empowers frontline providers, and protects the dignity of the most vulnerable. We are ready to partner with our local councils and MPs and partners to turn these national targets into real, secure homes.”
The new directive’s emphasis on intensive support for at least 3,000 individuals directly mirrors River Network’s holistic approach to rehabilitation, alternative education, and media training [uk_gov]. By combining secure housing with robust local council partnerships, River Network aims to rapidly expand its footprint across Matlock, Ashbourne, Chesterfield, and the wider Derbyshire region.