Mr Burnham told Radio Manchester he wanted the powers and budget from central government to turn job centres into “live well” centres that would address the root causes of unemployment.
He said it would offer a “whole-person approach” on issues like health, housing and benefits advice.
The mayor said the model has been inspired by Loaves and Fishes, which runs a drop-in centre for vulnerable people, give out free meals, housing advice, and addiction support.
Wayne, a recovering addict who has been helped by the charity, said he would have been “dead six years ago” without their help.
“I was homeless, I had nowhere to go, no-one to speak to, and then someone directed me to Loaves and Fishes,” he said.
“I got treated like a human being not jut some scum on the street. They gave me clothes, they gave me a shower, they gave me food – it’s unbelievable.
“Places like this should be government-funded, not having to go cap in hand for funding from other organisations”.
