THE number of homeless in Colchester could more than double due to Government cuts, a charity warned.

Dave Egan, manager of the April Centre, revealed the allowance paid to under-35s for privately-rented, one-bed properties is set to drop in April from £100 to £60 a week.

There are officially ten rough sleepers in the town. But the centre has another 100 people who are able to find occasional shelter with friends, but are effectively homeless.

Mr Egan said the number could rise to more than 250 due to the Government’s welfare reform.

He said: “Private sector rent in Colchester will not drop in line with this, so those relying on the allowance will face eviction.”

Mr Egan said the Government was expecting landlords to drop their rates in line with the cuts.

But he said it would not happen in Colchester because of the strength of the market.

He said: “We have a strong market, especially with Essex University providing such a large rental market.

“The loss in allowance is going to have a big impact.”

A homeless man said the town was already struggling to provide enough facilities for those in need.

The man, who would only be identified as Richard, 55, has suffered repeated spells of homelessness.

He believes Colchester Council needs to do more and has complained about the loss of drop-in centres.

He said: “Next month, I will have been homeless for two years.

“I have mental health problems and am not very good with paperwork, so got evicted.

“The council says it is doing a lot, but that is a load of rubbish.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you what they have done.

“A few years ago there was a lot more for the homeless.”

Tim Young, councillor responsible for community safety, efended the authority’s record.

He revealed £40,000 had been given to the April Centre and a new day centre had opened at St Paul’s Hall, Colne Bank Avenue.

Another £40,000 had been given to the youth engagement service, partly to help the young homeless.

Mr Young said: “We are doing all we can with the finances available.

“But the number of homeless will increase because of Government cuts. We will have to do all we can to give as much assistance as we can.”