Number sleeping rough at record low

The number of people sleeping rough on streets in England has fallen to a record low, according to figures released today.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced that the figures for 2005 revealed a 75% reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in England since 1998, from 1,850 to 459.

The Government has invested more than £200 million over the last three years to prevent and reduce homelessness, with a further £230 million being invested up to 2008. In addition, a £90 million funding pot is being used to improve hostels and the services they provide, to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets.

Introduced under the Homelessness Act 2002 new legislation sought to ensure that all local authorities adopted a strategy to tackle homelessness, including rough sleeping.

Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, said: "We have made significant progress in addressing the worst forms of homelessness. 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.

"But we still need to do more, especially to reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation. It's vital to get them back into settled homes and avoid getting stuck in the poverty trap. We are doing this by investing in more social housing, and homes for shared ownership as well as increased funding for prevention."

According to the figures, the target set by the Prime Minister in 1998 to reduce rough sleeping by at least two thirds by 2002 is being met.

The success of this reduction is the result of effective partnership working between local authorities, voluntary sector agencies and others.

National Statistics also published today show the number of people becoming homeless was 17% down on the same period the previous year.

(SP/MB)