A total of 232 homeless people turned to the authorities for re-housing in Dover over the course of a year.

From April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, 89 of the applicants were found alternative accommodation with the help of the district council.

But the breakdown fails to reveal whether it was permanent or temporary homes they were given and it doesn’t elaborate on each individual’s situation.

The statistics were obtained after the Mercury made a Freedom of Information request to DDC last month.

It was sparked by residents’ concerns over the increase in rough sleepers in the town centre and the impact this had on Dover’s image.

It was also revealed that DDC employs a team of five full-time housing option officers to deal with the applications. They all work 37 hours per week.

MP Charlie Elphicke said: “The council can put people in bed and breakfast accommodation but not everyone is entitled to a council home.

“There are complexities over homelessness and it has to go to people who don’t have a roof over their head.

“I know the council works hard to give people the help that they need.”

Homeless charity Emmaus, in Archcliffe Road, supplies work and living accommodation on its site for up to 21 people at a time.

It has a long waiting list but aims to extend its capacity to 28 by the end of the year.

Porchlight, a homeless charity based in Canterbury, helps rough sleepers all over Kent.

In a previous Mercury article, it said that there was a reduction in staff members because of cuts.

People facing homelessness should call into the district council offices, at the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield.