Rough sleeping at all time low

The number of people sleeping rough in England has fallen to the
lowest ever level with a 75 per cent reduction since 1998,
according to the latest statistics, writes Clare
Jerrom.

Annual rough sleeping figures for 2005 shows there were 1,850
people sleeping on the streets in 1998 and this has been reduced to
459 this year.

Housing minister Yvette Cooper said: “Rough sleeping is at
an all time low, and we have ended the scandal of families with
children living for long periods in bed and breakfast
hotels.”

“We are also seeing the number of people becoming homeless
falling significantly, showing that prevention is making a real
difference to more and more people,” she added.

However the minister warned that more still needed to be done,
especially in reducing the number of people living in temporary
accommodation.