A £1.9m fund has been announced to help homeless families get out of bed and breakfast accommodation.
Communities Minister Don Foster said that the money must be used by councils to reduce the number of families unlawfully stuck in this unsuitable accommodation in their area.
He also called on councils to put new measures in place to ensure that this situation doesn’t happen again.
New housing solutions
The law is clear that families must only be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation as a last resort, and only then for no more than 6 weeks.
But recent figures have shown a huge variation in the way councils help homeless people in their area, with only 15 councils accounting for nearly 80% of all families living in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than 6 weeks.
The £1.9 million funding will go to 7 of these councils, to help them raise their game and discover innovative new ways to help meet the housing needs of these most vulnerable of families.
Knowledge gained by these councils will be shared across the country, ensuring that every area can find the best way to provide stable, suitable homes for local residents as soon as possible.