THE number of homeless people in York could rise if proposals for cutbacks by the cash-strapped city council are allowed to go ahead, it has been claimed.

Rachel Barber, of the Salvation Army, believes the numbers of people being turned out on to York's streets could increase if funding for the "early intervention and prevention contract" is reduced by £20,000 and one of the eight homeless casework and prevention workers is axed at a saving of £27,000.

Both proposals are part of City of York Council's budget proposals, being negotiated for 2008/2009.

She was speaking at a meeting of the Executive Members for Housing And Adult Social Services Advisory Panel at the Guildhall.

Ms Barber, who manages the intervention team, said: "We are the first point of call for rough sleepers in York and this year we have dealt with 21 prevention cases where we have saved someone's tenancy.

"We have dealt with more than 400 customers in nine months, many with mental health problems, and responded to more than 30 police and council call outs.

"The impact of these cuts would mean less available hours, a reduced response to call outs and reduced visibility of our team."

She said the cuts could lead to increased pressure on the police, York Hospital and other agencies who would be left to deal with the homeless.

She said the authority would see an increase in homelessness which "goes against all their targets". "Some of these customers are potentially dangerous if not helped," she said.

Council officers believe the savings to the early intervention and prevention contract can be made by reorganising the existing service, but Ms Barber said any cuts would have a direct impact on those who use the service.

The contracted service also provides a drop-in centre and counselling, and contributes to the rough sleeper counts that are done four times a year.

Bill Hodson, director of housing and adult social services at City of York Council, said he too was concerned about the impact of cutting the number of casework and prevention workers to seven. He said: "I share some of your concerns around the impact that may have."

It is on a list of savings options which have been put up for city-wide public consultation, which asks residents to identify areas where they feel services could and should be cut.

Mr Hodson said axing a casework and prevention workers was one of the options the department was least likely to consider.

He said: "I have to advise that there would be some impact on service in relation to customers if we made that change."