Jamie Lilley from Manchester-based homeless charity, Cold Hands Warm Hearts. told Radio Manchester: “[A Bed Every Night] was well-intentioned then but it wasn’t something that was going to be manageable.”
He added: “Don’t get me wrong [Burnham] has the potential to do something great but there is a lot more to ending rough sleeping than offering a shelter.”
Lilley said the charity dealt with people daily who had mental health issues and addiction issues, warning: “There has to be support around these issues. Then you have sky-high private rents, the social housing shortage and the cost-of-living crisis to deal with.
“[As mayor] Burnham said it was difficult to achieve what he wanted as he didn’t have the power – now he is PM it is time to put words into action.”
Conservative shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said Burnham had failed to end rough sleeping in Greater Manchester “because he didn’t do the hard work necessary”.
But Amanda Croome, head of homelessness at Caritas, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford charity, said: “I have been involved with homelessness for more than 365 years – I feel really hopeful because we have a prime minister who has been able to make a real impact.”
She said she felt the scheme would be welcomed by rough sleepers across the country.
“Nobody chooses to sleep on the street – if people are given the right support they will come off the street,” she added.