Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping would be “some achievement”, a former homeless man says.
Steven Baugh, from Deal, Kent, said he would “believe it when they actually start doing something”, but that he supported Burnham’s plans to offer all rough sleepers accommodation for Christmas, or a route off the streets.
Kent charity Porchlight welcomed the proposals but warned they could be an “over-simplification of a systemic issue”, and that the issue “will need long-term investment”.
A government spokesperson said Burnham is determined to end rough sleeping across the country “at the earliest opportunity”.
Baugh, who first became homeless at 14 and had to sleep rough on a number of occasions, told BBC South East: “Even if he gets half of people in houses that would be some achievement.
“I have been part of the statistics and now I’m trying to sort my life out.
“I think he [Burnham] should be focusing on getting places which are affordable.”
Baugh said that, after initially being homeless in his teens, he later began rough sleeping again at 24 after losing his flat due to wanting to “party all the time”, and spending his money on drugs and drinking.
He added that he thought a lot of people “don’t realise the fear of being homeless, and being scared of normal human people”.