HAMPSHIRE civic chiefs have agreed to cut support for homeless people with “less critical” needs, as it looks to save £1.8 million a year.

However, the authority also promised to continue to spend £2.4 million on homelessness support to help those most in need.

Signed off by adult social care and health chief Councillor Liz Fairhurst, the design follows an eight-week public consultation.

Now the service will move away from providing help for those with less critical needs, and to focus support on the most vulnerable – which includes 24/7 supported accommodation to meet the needs of people who are sleeping rough, or at risk of sleeping rough.

This, the authority says, reflects the “extensive work” undertaken with districts, who have the statutory responsibility for homelessness, to explore the options for how homelessness support could be organised in Hampshire within the funding available.

Cllr Fairhurst said: “The County Council is facing unprecedented financial challenges, and must meet a funding shortfall of £140 million by April 2019, £56 million of which needs to come from the adult social care budget.

“The changes we will be making to homelessness support services ensure that the most vulnerable continue to receive the help they need, while those with less critical needs will be provided with clear information regarding the alternative support available within their local area.

“Over the past few months, we have worked closely with Hampshire’s district councils, who are legally responsible for supporting the homeless, to ensure that appropriate assistance is provided within the funding available – and we will continue to do this going forward.”

It comes after the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that, across the county, 733 youngsters are currently living in temporary housing.

But new data suggests that many of the kids, aged from babies to 17-year-olds, could still be without a home on Christmas Day.