Homeless Households Rise 17 Per Cent in 12 Months

The number of homeless households will continue to rise as the economic downturn and benefit reforms bite, according to new research. The paper, by Heriot-Watt and York universities, comes as government figures, published last Thursday, revealed the number of households accepted as homeless in England between April and June 2011 rose 17 per cent to 11,820 compared with the same quarter last year. The official statistics from the Communities and Local Government department are the first to emerge since the coalition government cut the amount of local housing allowance payable to claimants. Read more on Inside Housing.