Basildon residents are picking up the bill for the increasing number of homeless people in the borough, councillors have warned.

There are currently 287 families housed by Basildon Council - compared to 182 two years ago.

Councillors have condemned the 30 per cent increase as a failure of national government to tackle the problem.

Basildon Council’s cabinet approved plans to spend an extra £840,000 to manage its homelessness service next year.

An increase in homelessness has coincided with a dramatic drop in the amount of social and affordable housing being built.

In Basildon, only 11 new social housing properties were built in 2013/14, compared to 159 in 2012/13 and 383 in 2013/14.

Linda Allport-Hodge, leader of the council’s Ukip group, said: “The upward trend of people facing homelessness is very clear and the true reality is being masked by hidden homeless households, such as those living in overcrowded conditions, squatters and people sofa surfing.

“Basildon taxpayers are being asked to fork out another £840,000, making the total bill a cool £1million.

“Against a background of cuts, can we afford it?”

Mrs Allport-Hodge voiced concerns about “out of area” placements, due to the shortfall of new homes in London.

Mark Ellis, Ukip councillor for Laindon Park and cabinet member without portfolio, asked if the borough could become a magnet for homeless people.

He said: “Could it be possibly become too successful and attract homeless transfers from out of the borough?”

But Conservative council leader Phil Turner insisted the borough would not see an influx of homelessness applications from elsewhere.

He said: “Nobody should run away with the idea we house people from outside the borough.

“I am not sure this is a Basildon problem – it is a national problem.

“What we need to do is care for them in the way they would expect as members of Basildon borough.”

Labour group leader Byron Taylor said: “We don’t have a homeless shelter for rough sleepers in our borough and that is a concern.

“We are dealing with the politics of failure and Basildon residents are picking up the tab.”