New cases down by quarter in one year

New homelessness cases fell by nearly a quarter in the first three months of 2006 compared with the same period last year.

Government figures show that 20,730 households which applied to their local council were accepted as being homeless and in priority need, down 23 per cent.

The number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation fell by 2 per cent from 98,730 at the end of December 2005 to 96,370 at the end of March this year.

• From www.dclg.gov.uk