Councils in north-west London have urged the Government to back up its new rough sleeping strategy by supporting initiatives at a local level.

The project, which seeks to eradicate rough sleeping by 2027, will benefit from £100 million worth of funding and will support up to 6,000 people.

It follows a system of ‘prevention, intervention and recovery’, with Communities Secretary James Brokenshire determined to make sleeping on the streets “a thing of the past”.

But Labour-run councils in Harrow and Brent believe the plan does not go far enough and have asked for more freedom and support on the issue.

Cllr Eleanor Southwood, responsible for housing and welfare reform at Brent Council, said: “Homelessness is a huge and very real concern for lots of residents – sky high rents, insecure jobs and the impact of this government’s austerity measures are all really starting to bite.

“In Brent, we’ve taken every opportunity to do more for people at risk of homelessness – with a dedicated service for single people and offering mental health support and accommodation for rough sleepers.

“Whilst I’m pleased that the Government has finally woken up to the issue, this strategy alone is woefully inadequate.

“If the government was really serious about tackling homelessness then they’d end and reverse austerity, they’d set councils like ours free to build the next generation of genuinely affordable housing, and they’d give us the powers we’ve be calling for so that we can get the private rental market under control.”

Her words were echoed by Cllr Phillip O’Dell, who is responsible for housing at Harrow Council.

He welcomed the news of the strategy but said the Government must “look very seriously” at the impacts of its cuts which, he believes, have damaged the housing market.

In Harrow, there are 1.1 rough sleepers per 10,000 households while, in Brent, this figure stands at 2.3.

Around £30 million of the strategy’s funding will be spent on mental health and treatment for substance misuse.

And about £50 million will go towards homes outside London for those who are ready to move out of hostels or refuges.

Mr Brokenshire said he is “confident” that the plans will have a positive impact on the country’s rough sleepers.

He said: “It is simply unacceptable that people have to sleep on our streets and I am determined to make it a thing of the past.

“Whether people are at risk of rough sleeping, already on the streets or in need of settled accommodation, we now have a solid plan to help the most vulnerable in our society.

“And this is not just about putting a roof over their heads but helping them find a place to call home.”