Live Q&A: Homelessness - working together to tackle the problem, Monday 21 March, 12-3pm

The Department for Communities and Local Government recently announced new figures for homelessness in England which took into account estimates from all councils across the country for the first time. The survey estimated that a total of 1,768 people are sleeping out across England on any given night and according to InsideHousing , homeless applicants for social housing have risen by 15% this year. In light of these new figures, news that Westminster council is attempting to ban rough sleeping has left many wondering what will happen to those who find themselves homeless and whether other councils might follow Westminster's lead. With local government cutting back dramatically already and more cuts to come, there is concern within both the charity and housing sectors that rough sleepers across the country could be slipping through the gaps. In this Q&A we're asking how homeless charities and the housing sector can work together to combat homelessness and ensure that those without a voice are represented, when competition for central and local government money is fierce. Our panel will be online between 12pm - 3pm on Monday 21 March and comments are open for your questions and contributions now. Panel: Rosemary Westbrook has been the director of housing at Westminster City council since 2004. Rosemary is currently chair of the London councils housing directors group Barry Kirkwood is community fund-raiser at The Amber Foundation , a homeless charity working with young people Duncan Shrubsole is the director of policy and external affairs for crisis , the national charity for single homeless people Ross Giles works for The Bond Board , a charitable rent deposit guarantee scheme working in Bury, Bolton & Rochdale. Genevieve Burleigh is a Manager at Tameside Housing Advice, the contracted homelessness service for Tameside MBC Jake Elliot is policy officer at the National Housing Federation Joanne Crellen is head of innovation and good practice at Homeless Link , the national membership organisation for front-line homelessness agencies Gera Drymer is strategy manager at the Homes and Communities Agency . The key areas Gera covers include homelessness, empty homes and mobility This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the local government network to receive more like this direct to your inbox.