Homelessness in Gravesham has increased by more than 34% in the past year because of welfare cuts aimed at the poor and vulnerable, according to a leading charity.

Figures from Porchlight, which monitors the number of rough sleepers across Kent, reveal that there were 79 people on the streets of Gravesham between April 1 last year and March 31, up from 52 during the same period the year before.

The year before that, the figure stood at just 17 and the charity’s chief executive, Mike Barrett, said that the failings of successive governments were to blame.

“This frightening increase in homelessness has been caused, I think, by two things — ferocious welfare cuts aimed at poor and vulnerable people, and the irresponsible housing policies of successive governments over the past 30 years,” he said.

“It’s now commonplace to see people living and sleeping on the streets. It appears to have become an accepted part of the austerity measure.

“Under-35s are among the hardest hit, and it gets worse the younger you are.

“Under-25s have seen their jobseeker’s allowance frozen and 18 to 21-year-olds have lost the automatic entitlement to housing benefit.

“Many people who work rely on benefits, but these are being cut and they now face the humiliating and life-threatening risk of homelessness.

“How can we call ourselves a successful society if the price of our comfort and safety is the suffering of those less fortunate than most of us?”

Fourteen of the 79 recorded rough sleepers in Gravesham were under 25, compared to eight from 52 the year before, and just two from 17 the year before that.

Across Kent there were 707 people on the streets between April 1 last year and March 31, which is a rise of 38% from 509.

Of those 707, 134 were aged under 25, which is a rise of 71% from 78.

A Porchlight spokesman said: “There are lots of reasons that people find themselves on the street.

“For many young people it’s because family life has broken down so much that their only option is to leave home.

“Too often, they have experienced neglect, violence and abuse.

“The longer they are left without help, the more deep-rooted their problems become.”

In 2016, Porchlight worked with 255 young people who were sleeping rough, offering accommodation and helping them find work.

The charity relies on donations to stay afloat, with it costing about £46 to help one young person for just a day.

Donations can be made at porchlight.org.uk or by calling 01227 760078.