Rise in numbers in temporary shelter

At the end of December last year there were 85,780 households in
temporary homelessness accommodation arranged by local authorities,
the latest government figures have revealed.

This was a 1 per cent increase on the previous quarter and a 9 per
cent rise compared with the end of December 2001.

There were 9,600 homeless households in hostel accommodation,
including women’s refuges, at the end of last year, a decrease of
130 since the previous quarter and a fall of 670 compared with
2001.

Of the 5,600 families in bed and breakfast accommodation, 64 per
cent had been resident for more than six weeks.

The government has pledged to end the use of such accommodation for
families for longer than six weeks by March 2004.