SOUTHAMPTON civic chiefs have received a six-figure grant to deal with the city's homelessness problem.

The £400,000 package will help support the growing number of people who are sleeping rough.

One council worker told the Daily Echo that there are 64 homeless people sleeping in five multi-storey car park in the city.

The senior councillor who oversees housing welcomed the news of the grant.

Cllr Warwick Payne, cabinet member for housing and adult care, said: “We already offer a lot of help to Southampton’s homeless and thanks to this very welcome grant we’ll be able to provide more assistance.

"We especially want to intervene when people are at risk of becoming homeless or have just arrived on the street, as this is perhaps the best chance we have of getting people to accept help."

Rough sleeping has become a more noticeable problem along with beggars who have reportedly been earning up to £200 a day.

Now the city council is urging residents not to give money to people living on the street, but instead to charities or organisations that help the homeless.

The council have also said that although they believe residents have the best intentions of helping homeless people they are perpetuating the problem.

The grant, which the council will receive over the next two years, offers homeless people intensive support, accommodation and crisis intervention.

Homelessness charity Two Saints will also be working on the project.

Cllr Payne added: “It’s a major frustration that help is on hand to the homeless in Southampton, but is often refused.

"There are hostel beds available for most rough sleepers and services are available for those sleeping rough with help routinely offered to them.

"We aim to use this grant funding to encourage more people – especially those not yet accustomed to life on the streets – to accept the help and turn their lives around," said Cllr Payne.

“It should also be kept in mind that not all homeless people beg, and not all beggars are homeless.

"In response to feedback from the majority of residents we’re taking action on antisocial begging through our PSPO, but also offering additional assistance to the genuinely homeless.

"We will always help those who are willing to accept our help.”

Other council work is also ongoing to minimise the effect of street begging in the city, including regular outreach work which encourages people to take advantage of the services on offer - from accommodation through to help with alcohol or drug addiction.

Two Saints was asked to comment but declined, referring the Daily Echo to the city council.