Two Buckinghamshire-based charities have penned an open letter to MPs across the county, calling on them to take action against the homelessness crisis.

Wycombe Homeless Connection and Aylesbury Homeless Action Group have issued the letter ahead of next week's governmental Spring Budget announcement. 

The charities are concerned that the new budget plans will not prioritise the government's goal to end rough sleeping in the UK by 2024.

MPs for Beaconsfield, Wycombe, Buckingham, Amersham and Aylesbury were addressed in the letter.

Chief Executive Officer for Wycombe Homeless Connection, James Boultbee, said: "Rough sleeping is one of the most extreme forms of poverty and deprivation experienced by people in the UK.

"Last week, the national rough sleeping figures showed a 26% year-on-year increase in England. Sadly, Buckinghamshire has not escaped that rise."

Mr Boultbee said he believed the best course of action is to increase the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to cover the cheapest 30 per cent of properties in each housing market area.

This would allow more people to claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payments towards their rent.

He added: “The gap between the LHA rates and average private rents is both growing and unsustainable.

"While most benefits have increased with inflation, LHA rates remain frozen while private rents are rising at the fastest rate on record.”

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak asks homeless man at shelter 'if he works in business'

According to statistics gathered by the charity group Shelter, over 271,000 people were recorded as homeless in the UK in January 2023, including 123,000 children.

Chief Executive of Shelter, Polly Neate, said: “With private rents and living costs continuing to soar, we are bracing ourselves for a sharp rise in homelessness in 2023.

"More than ever, we will be relying on the public’s generosity to help us support and campaign for all those fighting for a safe home.”

Wycombe Homeless Connection is urging residents in Buckinghamshire to get in touch with their local MP and to share the open letter across social media platforms.