More than 3,300 new long-term homes for rough sleepers will be delivered by the end of March 2021, the Government has pledged.

Every region in England will receive a share of £150m to help deliver the homes for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness.

The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed the funding allocation but called for more action to prevent homelessness in the first place.

Cllr David Renard, LGA’s housing spokesperson, said: ‘We urge government to also temporarily remove the No Recourse to Public Funds condition. This would reduce public health risks and ease the pressure on homelessness services by enabling vulnerable people to access welfare benefits, who are currently unable to do so because of their immigration status.

’Councils also want to see a government shift towards investing in measures needed to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place.’