Homeless people in English hostels at risk of return to streets as bills soar

Exclusive: charities say energy costs and underfunded contracts threaten government promise to end rough sleeping by 2024

Homeless people living in hostels and supported homes in England are at risk of being forced back on to the streets as providers prepare to close beds and services in the face of soaring costs, charities have said.

They say catastrophic rises in energy bills coupled with underfunded council contracts threaten the viability of hundreds of homelessness charities and could derail the government's promise to end rough sleeping by 2024.