Guidance

Rough sleeping: actions for the health and care sector

What health and care organisations should do to support the Rough Sleeping Programme and help people move off the streets, including actions for winter 2026 to 2027.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Published: 9 November 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Rough sleeping: actions for the health and care sector

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Details

This guidance sets out how health and care organisations and their partners should support the Rough Sleeping Programme. The programme funds accommodation and support to help people move off the streets and stay in accommodation.

This guidance covers:

• what different health and care organisations need to do
• 7 principles for supporting people experiencing rough sleeping, with practical actions for local partners
• supporting guidance and statutory duties that apply to health and care

The immediate priority is that everyone sleeping rough has a route off the streets before Christmas 2026.