13/12/2004

Homeless families figure tops 100,000 for the first time

According to the latest figures, the number of homeless families in England has increased beyond 100,000 for the first time - equating to around 500,000 people with no permanent home of their own.

The number of households in accommodation arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation at the end of September 2004 rose to 100,810 which is 6,680 (7%) higher than the previous year.

Of the total number of families, 82% were in self-contained accommodation and 18% were in accommodation with shared facilities such as bed and breakfast.

The figures revealed a marked increase in the number of families with dependent children or expectant mothers being placed in B&B accommodation. The number of such households at the end of September was 1,370 compared with 1,050 in June 2004, an increase of 320 (30%), though this figure is a decrease of 1,820 (57%) when compared with one year ago, and a decrease of 5,360 (80%) since March 2002 when figures were first collected.

At the end of September the number of homeless households in hostel accommodation reached 10,400, this figure includes women's refuges.

The majority (52%) of homeless families were placed in private sector accommodation, such as a property leased by the local authority or a Registered Social Landlord, or in some cases directly as the tenant of a private sector landlord.

The figures, which exclude those living rough on the streets, have been condemned by charities as unacceptable for one of the richest countries in the world.

(SP/MB)

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