Extra investment announced by the Government to end homelessness will help, according to local authority leaders, but overall cuts in resources are making it more challenging.
Local Government Association (LGA) housing spokesman Martin Tett said it was increasingly difficult to deal with the problem when homelessness services were facing a funding gap of more than £100m next year.
Last week communities secretary James Brokenshire unveiled the Government’s next steps aimed at meeting its target to end rough sleeping for good by 2027.
Measures included a new 'road map' setting out next steps to support thousands of people off the street and a £11m fund for councils to provide safe accommodation.
Cllr Tett responded: 'Any extra investment will help local efforts to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
'Councils are determined to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping from happening in the first place and support families affected.
'This is becoming increasingly difficult with homelessness services facing a funding gap of more than £100m in 2019/20.
'Proper resourcing of local government funding is essential if we are going to end rising homelessness.
'Councils also need to keep 100% of the receipts of any homes they sell to replace them and reinvest in building more of the genuine affordable home they desperately need and the ability to adapt welfare reforms to prevent people from losing their home where possible.'
