The first year of Supporting People, the new funding regime for housing with support, is to receive £1.4bn government funding.

The grant will be paid to the 150 lead authorities running the scheme - which starts in April - through partnerships with local social services, health, housing and probation services.

A £173m administrative fund for Supporting People was announced in the Sustainable Communities plan earlier this month.

Announcing the new money last week, housing minister Jeff Rooker said councils had been asked for an immediate review of health, housing, social services and probation services to form the basis of future Supporting People funding.

Homelessness umbrella organisation Homeless Link welcomed the money but said it was worried how the programme would be financed after its first year.

Andrew van Doorn, national policy and research officer, said: "We are not alone in feeling that there will have to be significant cuts to the fund in the future."