AN EXTRA £30 million in emergency funding is to be given to councils in England to help keep people at risk of eviction in their homes and support rough sleepers off the streets.

The money has been allocated after Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said remaining funds in her department should be directed towards tackling homelessness.

Crisis, hosting a London summit today on ending homelessness, said it was “pleased to see the government providing additional funding for councils,” but called for long-term investment.

Homelessness is at record highs in England, with more than 146,000 households turning to their council for help last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said. 

New official figures will be published tomorrow for both households in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping in England.

The department said the extra funding should “bolster resources at councils to act fast when negotiating with landlords, covering emergency rent shortfalls, and making sure people can get on with living their lives in safe and secure housing.”

The funding will go to local authorities in 295 areas with the highest risks of homelessness through housing costs and rent arrears, including areas of London, Birmingham, Exeter and Wigan.

Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said: “The situation is incredibly serious and many councils are at breaking point. 

“A shortage of affordable and social homes combined with rising rents has forced thousands of households into poverty and homelessness. 

“For too long councils have had to rely on costly temporary accommodation, pushing their budgets to the limit.

“As well as funding to tackle the current emergency, it’s vital the Westminster government invests long term to address the root causes of the problem.”