WIREDGOV

Cllr Peter Box, Local Government Association spokesman for housing, responds to government figures which show the number of people sleeping rough in England has risen by nearly a third between 2014 and 2015.

"It is a tragedy when anyone becomes homeless and many people sleeping rough will be vulnerable to crime and exploitation and are likely to have complex support needs.

"Councils work hard to prevent homelessness occurring in the first place, working closely with partners to place people into secure, appropriate accommodation and provide the most comprehensive support they can, whether that be focusing on prevention or equipping them with the skills to find work or ensuring their health and wellbeing.

"As the housing crisis intensifies, councils are facing real difficulties in finding emergency care for all homeless people and to expand the range of accommodation for homeless people, particularly those who are young, vulnerable, or with families. We have raised concerns about the potential for the Housing and Planning Bill, unless amended, to reduce the amount of affordable rentable accommodation.

"Local authorities are desperate to keep increasing building and need to be able to keep playing a lead role in building and investing in more of the genuine affordable homes our communities desperately need and which are crucial to reducing homelessness and tackling council waiting lists."

View related reports:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2015