£60m funding earmarked to reduce homelessness

Local authorities and voluntary organisations across the country will receive a share of £60 million in 2004/05 to support them in "tackling homelessness more effectively", homelessness Minister Jeff Rooker announced today.

Councils throughout England will receive around £45 million from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), to support the continued implementation of their homelessness strategies.

Latest homelessness statistics published today show that the number of homeless families with children living in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks has continued to fall and in September was 1,590 compared with 1,980 in June.

However, overall homelessness is on the increase. Statistics relating to overall homelessness in England indicate that as of September 2003, 93,930 households were in accommodation arranged by local authorities. This is an increase of 10% on the previous year.

Voluntary organisations funded directly by ODPM will also benefit, receiving around £15 million to support their work with homeless people.

Speaking at the Association of London Government's homelessness conference today, Mr Rooker said: "This funding is good news for local authorities and the voluntary sector and demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling and preventing homelessness. The additional resources will support local authorities in delivering their homelessness strategies which they had to publish for the first time this year."

The figures, which cover July to September 2003, also show that the total number of families with children in B&B accommodation at the end of September was 3,190 - a fall of 14% since June.

(gmcg)