More than 100 local councils will sign a joint letter to the government over “critical and unsustainable” finances.

Councils across the country are being put under pressure by a rise in the number of homeless people who need temporary accommodation.

Eastbourne Borough Council and the District Councils’ Network are hosting the emergency summit online tomorrow.

The council is facing pressure that threatens its non-statutory services such as leisure centres, foodbanks and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor Stephen Holt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “The situation is stark.

“Councils provide a safety net for the most vulnerable people who need our help, and that safety net is at real risk of failing. 

“Figures from the department of levelling up, housing and communities have shown that the cost of temporary accommodation to local authorities reached £1.7bn last year and is increasing rapidly.

"This is wholly unsustainable for councils, and the situation is now critical.”

The Argus: Councils have seen a rise in people needing emergency accommodation in recent monthsCouncils have seen a rise in people needing emergency accommodation in recent months

Hastings Borough Council has seen the number of homeless people being housed in temporary accommodation more than double in the space of a year. 

The minister for local government Lee Rowley has been invited to attend the summit.

The summit will explore solutions such as giving district councils the powers, funding, and resources needed to increase the supply of social housing.

Councillor Hannah Dalton, the District Councils’ Network spokeswoman for health, housing and hardship, said: “Across the country, we are experiencing a spiralling tide of need, driven by a severe shortage of social housing, the cost of living crisis, and an unstable and unaffordable private rented sector.

“This means as district councils, we are placing an unprecedented number of people in temporary accommodation, which is cripplingly expensive for councils and unsuitable for residents. 

“Districts are vital to preventing homelessness and providing resolution when our residents are faced with no alternative. Without urgent intervention, the very existence of this safety net is under threat.

“We are therefore calling on the government to act now and urgently adopt our five asks ahead of the Autumn Statement.

“While these alone will not end homelessness, they will go a long way in reducing the number of families in temporary accommodation and the series of challenges that come with this.”

The summit is being held from 9.30am to 11am tomorrow.