The number of rough sleepers in the Folkestone district nearly halved in 2019 compared to the previous year.

According to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), there were 10 people sleeping on the streets during its latest headcount, taken in November.

The figure for 2018 was 80% higher, with 18 homeless people counted.

The issue was raised at FHDC's full council meeting when member of the public Brian Rylands asked cabinet member David Godfrey (Con) to reveal the annual figures for the last decade.

Cllr Godfrey said there was nine homeless people recorded in 2010, and then 12 in 2011, five in 2012, four in 2013 and 2014 and 13 in 2015.

By 2016 it had reduced to nine again before rising to 16 in 2017.

In the last 10 years, 2018 saw the highest number of people sleeping rough.

Ali Chambers, CEO of the Rainbow Centre in Folkestone, which supports homeless people and runs the Winter Shelter, said despite the council's recorded numbers, homelessness is still a problem in the district.

Ms Chambers said: "The headcount serves a snapshot of those individuals who are found rough sleeping on one particular evening, so is not necessarily the true picture.

"If the weather is particularly inclement, it is unlikely that everyone who is rough sleeping will be found and included in the count.

"The Rainbow Centre housed several entrenched rough sleepers prior to the count in November, and this may have had an impact on the figures but we still see the trend of rough sleeping as being consistent to the previous two years.”

But the council says it works hard to ensure people stay off the streets.

Cllr Godfrey, who is cabinet member for housing, transport and special projects, said: "To provide a snapshot, a verified count is completed annually of the number of people sleeping rough in the district on one night.

"We work closely with Sanctuary Supported Living, Porchlight and the Rainbow Centre and over the last 12 months our focus has been on supporting people once they have been rehoused.

"We want to ensure that, once housed, people who have previously been homeless have the support and assistance to be able to maintain a tenancy.

"This approach often produces life changing results which benefit the wider community as a whole."

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