Government pledges bold housing plans amid rising homelessness and questions over targets

Housing Secretary Steve Reed commits to immediate action and significant investment to combat England’s homelessness surge, amid debates on building targets and international contrasting strategies.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has pledged immediate action to reduce homelessness in England, describing the ongoing situation as “heartbreaking” and urging social housing providers to “go big, go bold and go build” to tackle the crisis. Reed expressed deep concern over the record number of 172,420 homeless children living in temporary accommodation, a figure that has steadily risen and reached its highest level in two decades. He admitted it would be a “personal failure” if these numbers increase by the end of the current Parliament in 2029 and vowed to work with social housing developers to accelerate the delivery of new homes.

Reed announced an additional £84 million funding boost aimed at getting rough sleepers off the streets ahead of the winter, promising that the public would see a tangible difference immediately. The government’s long-term strategy includes a £39 billion investment to build 300,000 new social and affordable homes over the next decade, with bidding for the programme expected to open in February. The government has already introduced reforms such as a new long-term settlement for social housing rents and adjustments to the Right to Buy scheme in an effort to ramp up housing delivery.

However, Reed suggested a potential reduction in the affordable housing requirements specifically for London, from 35% to 20%, to encourage more housebuilding in the capital. When questioned about these controversial leaked plans, Reed acknowledged the dilemma: “At the moment, we’re getting no social housing because 35% of nothing is nothing.” He made clear his short-term priority is to get homes built first, emphasizing that without increasing the housing supply, promises to provide permanent homes to children in temporary accommodation or to people sleeping rough could not be fulfilled. An official announcement on these plans is expected imminently.

The housing crisis remains a significant challenge. Experts, such as Professor Paul Cheshire who advised previous governments on planning policy, have voiced scepticism about whether the government will meet its ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes by 2029, describing it as highly unlikely. The need to balance rapid construction with the provision of genuinely affordable social housing highlights the complexity of addressing homelessness and housing shortages.

Internationally, other approaches to homelessness reveal contrasting strategies. In the United States, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in July 2025 directing a national crackdown on homeless encampments, focusing on dismantling such camps and moving individuals into treatment facilities. This approach, prioritising enforcement over long-term housing solutions, has drawn criticism for potentially worsening the crisis and infringing civil rights.

Conversely, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (no relation to Steve Reed) has championed sustained funding efforts targeting homelessness in Rhode Island through federal grants. In recent years, he has announced millions in Continuum of Care grants to support local programmes providing comprehensive housing and support services, aiming to break the cycle of poverty. Initiatives include funding for affordable housing developments catering to vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic violence and homeless veterans, emphasizing the importance of combined rental assistance with supportive clinical services.

Together, these contrasting approaches underline the multifaceted nature of the homelessness crisis—calling for urgent, scalable housing construction plans alongside supportive services addressing the underlying factors contributing to homelessness.

📌 Reference Map:

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• Paragraph 2 – ^[1], ^[2] (Mirror)
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• Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (Mirror)
• Paragraph 5 – ^[3] (Reuters)
• Paragraph 6 – ^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7] (Reed Senate Releases)

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments, including Steve Reed’s pledge and the £84 million funding boost announced on 9 October 2025. However, similar reports have appeared in the past week, indicating some recycled content. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests a moderate freshness score. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/84-million-injection-to-tackle-homelessness?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
Direct quotes from Steve Reed and other figures are present. While the exact earliest usage of these quotes is not identified, their inclusion in recent reports suggests they may have been used previously. Variations in wording across different sources indicate potential rephrasing. The lack of earlier matches for some quotes raises the possibility of original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Mirror, a reputable UK news outlet. The inclusion of references to official government press releases and statements adds credibility. However, the presence of content from less reputable sources, such as upday News, introduces some uncertainty. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/84-million-injection-to-tackle-homelessness?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims about the £84 million funding boost and the record number of children in temporary accommodation are consistent with recent government announcements and statistics. The narrative’s tone and language are appropriate for the topic and region. However, the inclusion of international comparisons and expert opinions introduces additional complexity, which may require further verification. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/84-million-injection-to-tackle-homelessness?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding homelessness in England, including government pledges and funding boosts. While the content is largely consistent with official reports and reputable sources, the presence of recycled material and references to less reliable outlets introduces some uncertainty. The inclusion of international comparisons and expert opinions adds depth but also complexity, warranting further verification.