MORE tents have appeared on Hove Lawns, yet another symptom of our city’s crisis.

The words of Katherine Whittaker on page 7, who pitched a tent herself, should be of huge concern to Brighton and Hove City Council.

The people who have to resort to sleeping on the seafront are clearly vulnerable and need all the help they can get.

It is a stark reminder of how uncertain many residents’ lives are. Whether it is an extra bill, a redundancy, or a late pay cheque, even the smallest disruption can send someone spiralling into poverty and homelessness.

Many on the streets are there due to addictions.

Help for them should be a priority.

So too should housing for those in genuine need.

The uncertainty of renting, especially for those who work hand to mouth, can be enough to drive people off the edge.

We need urgent investment in council housing so our city’s housing crisis can be solved.

Though it is ultimately the city council’s policy to build council housing and ensure Brighton’s housing crisis is fought, it is Boris Johnson’s Government that needs to step up and boost funding.

And we cannot just throw money at the problem.

It is all well and good having more housing in the city, but it needs to be truly affordable.

We need positive action to help those addicted to drink and drugs.

Until something is done soon, it will not be surprising if more tents pop up on Hove Lawns and across the seafront.

It is all well and good telling the tenants to move, but it is the root causes that must be tackled.