Canterbury-based homelessness charity braced for significant cuts

Porchlight says the future of its hostels is now uncertain

A Kent-based homelessness charity has described the loss of £1m from its annual budget as "devastating".

Porchlight, which is based in Canterbury, said the future of its hostels provision was "now uncertain".

The charity is braced for "significant cuts" to its annual budget from Kent County Council (KCC), which may impact homeless accommodation.

KCC said financial pressures are forcing "difficult decisions" about funding some services.

A summit of around 50 councils in January warned that the rising cost of homelessness could lead to effective bankruptcy and "the end of local government".

Porchlight said the KCC funding cuts, which come into effect from April, would impact its ability to support people who have nowhere else to turn for help.

Charity spokesman Chris Thomas described the funding cuts as "devastating".

He said: "This will put the future of our properties for people experiencing homelessness at risk.

"It is also forcing us to scale back other work we do, such as homelessness prevention and supporting people via our helpline."

The government said it had given local authorities in Kent up to £17m through the Rough Sleeping Initiative.

Porchlight said the 181 bed spaces it provided in hostels and the support it offered for people who would otherwise be on the streets would be lost without the KCC funding.

Mr Thomas said: "We'll make sure that none of our residents are left without somewhere safe and suitable to live, but as more people become homeless there will be nowhere for them to go."

Kent County Council said it was working hard with Porchlight on homelessness

The charity, which works with more than 9,000 individuals and families every year, said it needed £600,000 a year to keep its hostels open and another £400,000 to fund homelessness prevention work and a helpline.

It said it was trying to find new sources of income, including fundraising.

A KCC spokesperson said: "We're very aware of Porchlight's concerns and working hard with them and our district and borough councils to ensure vulnerable residents at risk of becoming homeless continue to get the help they need.

"Most accommodation we directly funded through the Homeless Connect Service will be retained and discussion about future arrangements are continuing."

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