HA joins charities in warning Truss and Sunak over homelessness ‘precipice’

“We are at a precipice,” the letter said. “Inflation is rising at the fastest rate for 40 years, while rents in the private rented sector have reached record levels and are still rising.

“We are already in the midst of a housing crisis, with a chronic lack of genuinely affordable housing. Therefore, without governmental intervention, we fear many more people could be forced into homelessness.”

The 29 signatories called for the government to continue to meet the Conservative manifesto pledge to end rough sleeping in England by 2024 and to publish the planned refresh of the rough sleeping strategy by the end of the year at the latest.

The letter also urged the government to bring forward private rented sector reforms, including fulfilling its manifesto pledge of ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

The letter said: “It’s easy to think of homelessness and rough sleeping in broad numbers, but these are real lives, stories of people let down by a system that should protect them.

“Everyone deserves a safe place to live and the support they need to keep it.

“Homelessness is not inevitable. With the right political will, and through working together, we can end it forever.”

Among the signatories are Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, and Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis.

A new Conservative leader and de facto prime minister is due to be announced on 5 September.