Even more seriously, according to homelessness charity Shelter, councils in London are also failing in their duty by turning some people away because of the dearth of temporary homes.
London housing manager Maurice Wren said: "It will happen several times today, it's an immense problem."
The crisis stems from an increase in demand worsened by the influx of asylum seekers, and pressure on supply with a fall in available permanent accommodation and in bed and breakfast space because of a tourist boom. Thousands of permanent homes are also currently tied up in numerous regeneration projects across the capital.
Homeless Managers Forum for London chair Andy Gale claimed the position has reached crisis levels. He said: "Local authorities are trying their best to meet their statutory duties but it is becoming increasingly more difficult. There certainly is a vulnerability to a challenge, but realistically it is better to place people in a hotel in Gravesend or Hastings than to have people on the streets. If it came to a challenge on suitability it would be interesting to see what the courts decided."
Wren urged more councils to acknowledge that they are failing in their legal duties. "We need some honest information about the scale of the problem. It is a sensitive issue for local authorities, but it is helping no one not to own up to it."
London Housing Federation policy officer Chris Hampson said: "We have every sympathy with local authorities. Their hands are tied - at the moment there just is not the supply to meet the growing demand."
Source
Housing Today
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