Mural aims to give a real insight into life on the streets of Plymouth
The display, involving 40 artists, has been revealed on Union Street
Last updated 13th Oct 2025
A display of 40 artists, inspired by the theme of 'homelessness', has gone on show in Plymouth.
The Artists’ Corner, based at the end of Union Street, is backed by charity Path Devon.
It comes as charities across the countryhave welcomed tens of millions of pounds towards rough sleeping prevention and help for record numbers of families in temporary accommodation to access basic facilities.
But the organisations working in the sector warned there must be wider measures as part of a long-awaited homelessness strategy promised by Government.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed branded homelessness a "moral stain on our society" as the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government announced £84 million in funding for homelessness this winter.
The most recent Government figures, published in July, showed the number of households in temporary accommodation in England had climbed to a new record high of 131,140 at the end of March 2025.
The number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 169,050 in March, up year on year from 151,540 and also the highest since records began in 1998.
This week a monitoring project reported that deaths among homeless people in the UK have risen by 9% in a year and included 11 children.
The Museum of Homelessness said its research suggested at least 1,611 deaths in 2024 of people experiencing homelessness.
This was up from 1,474 deaths in 2023 and 1,313 in 2022.
Mr Reed said: "Growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions.
"This Government will not stand idly by and allow that to continue."
The money - announced on World Homeless Day - includes almost £70 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, which is flexible funding for 62 local authorities to prevent people sleeping rough and help them stay off the streets.
Nearly £11 million will also be directed to 61 areas with the highest numbers of children in temporary accommodation, to help families access basic facilities including Wi-Fi, travel passes for school and uniforms.
More than 80 councils will share £3 million extra to go towards lifesaving support for rough sleepers with drug or alcohol-related issues, while £200,000 will go towards facilities such as night shelters.
Homelessness charity St Mungo's said the funding is "much-needed" but it insisted it must be followed by "a clear and comprehensive strategy from the Government setting out how they are going to address this homelessness crisis and, alongside it, longer-term funding" for more sustainable interventions.
Big Issue founder and crossbench peer Lord John Bird said councils are "buckling under the weight of ever-expanding demand for temporary accommodation".
He added: "But this is not an investment to end rough sleeping. For that we need the kind of measures and support that offers more than a roof over your head, but a full support service which treats the reasons why people fall homeless in the first place.
"The long-promised homelessness strategy must invest in this, rather than just reapplying faltering sticking plasters."
Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said: "This funding is very welcome, especially as winter approaches and with homelessness rising. More people are likely to face the prospect of sleeping on cold streets and need support urgently. More parents will be working out how to help their children do homework from cramped and draughty temporary accommodation.
"We know that targeted support can make a big difference and help people take their first steps out of homelessness.
"We hope this announcement marks another step towards an ambitious homelessness strategy. Alongside a concerted effort to build social housing at scale, and ensuring all parts of Government make their contribution to ending homelessness, we can create a safer and more prosperous future for people and families across the country."
Riverside, which describes itself as one of the largest and most experienced housing association groups in the country, also welcomed the funding but added it is "awaiting the Government's long-term homelessness strategy and we hope that long-term ring-fenced funding for supported housing is forthcoming".
The Government said the £84 million is in addition to its almost £1 billion investment to tackle homelessness this year.
Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Gideon Amos echoed charity leaders' calls for wider measures.
"More funding will help this winter, but so much more is needed," he said.
"We are still waiting on a new homelessness strategy, which should provide more support for councils to tackle the huge rise in families in temporary accommodation.
"The Government must also set a statutory target for building social homes to tackle the 1.3 million households on waiting lists. We need 150,000 annually to tackle the housing crisis."
Mr Amos urged the Government to "step up to end homelessness for good".
Sir James Cleverly, the Conservative shadow housing secretary, accused Labour of having "failed on homelessness, and there are now record numbers of households and children in temporary accommodation".
He said: "The Government's failure to get a grip on illegal migration is deepening the housing crisis - leaving homeless people and renters fighting for affordable homes."
Sir James said the Conservatives would like a "hard-edged and detailed borders plan which will end illegal immigration to ensure that housing goes to hardworking taxpayers".