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Written by rosalind renshaw

New Government figures on homelessness in England show that the number of people applying to councils for help with housing has increased by 14% over the last year.

The statistics also show a 26% increase in the number of people who have been accepted as homeless but for whom no accommodation has been offered by local authorities.

Jenny Edwards, chief executive of Homeless Link, the umbrella body for 500 homeless charities, said: “The number of homeless people going to councils for help continues to rise. This news underlines the need for urgent action to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing in our cities and our countryside.

“If we want a country where everyone has a roof over their head, we must make it a priority to build truly affordable homes. More land needs to be allocated for the right type of housing, in the right locations.

“An efficient planning system is key, with a strong focus on delivering affordable housing.

“The Government’s proposal to reform local planning policy is an important milestone towards meeting this need for more homes. This is not just about buildings, it about stopping the damage that homelessness causes to individual lives and communities.”

The new official statistics cover the second quarter of this year. Compared with the same period last year, the figures also show a 4% increase in the number of people becoming homeless after the end of a private tenancy. Such cases account for 18% of homelessness.

There was also a startling 29% rise in the number of people being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Comments

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    agree with Stonehenge

    This figure to leap further when LHA is reduced by up to 30% next year.

    • 17 September 2011 11:56 AM
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    @PeeBee

    Agreed, but lose the 'sorry'!

    • 16 September 2011 14:51 PM
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    "Isn't the right to own property is a basic human right, that should be guaranteed by the UK government?"

    No, the right to shelter is.

    • 16 September 2011 13:25 PM
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    As rents increase we will see more people requiring or requesting housing assistance. As it is unlikley they will be able to afford to save enough to buy. I do not see this being susutainable, I am unsure of the consequences.

    • 16 September 2011 13:19 PM
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    Viking: "Isn't the right to own property is a basic human right, that should be guaranteed by the UK government?"

    Erm... no. Sorry.

    SHOULD IT BE?

    Erm... no. Sorry.

    • 16 September 2011 13:12 PM
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    Isn't the right to own property is a basic human right, that should be guaranteed by the UK government?

    • 16 September 2011 12:52 PM
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    This has much to do with landlords having to jump through hoops concerning licensing of what in reality are not HMOs by some Local Authorities such as Oxford City Council, and rent not being paid directly to landlords for those claiming HB/LHA.

    • 16 September 2011 12:18 PM
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    Many young professionals rent a room in private sector because they cannot afford to rent a whole flat or house. Council tenants should be accommodated in rooms as well (double room for couples and single room for singles) and only families with children in houses. Only this way those on benefits will not be better off from ordinary people.

    • 16 September 2011 11:45 AM
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    A tragic consequence of the government allowing house prices to spiral out of control and then when that brought the economy down, bringing in props to maintain those levels.

    • 16 September 2011 11:41 AM
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    Try ridding ourselves of unwanted foreigners and see how much housing is suddenly free. Put unused and vacant buildings back into use. Stop 'investment' buying. 'Its simples'.

    • 16 September 2011 10:47 AM
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