Number of Homeless Families Housed In B&Bs Rises 300% In Five Years

The number of homeless families housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has increased by more than 300% in the past five years, according to official figures that lay bare the impact of austerity cuts on housing for the most vulnerable families in England. By the end of March, 2,570 families were living in B&Bs, an increase of 35% since last year and a staggering 308% rise on the same date in 2010, when there were 630. The numbers living in B&Bs for more than six weeks more than doubled over the past year alone. Campaigners warned it showed that local authorities were running out of capacity to house families in need – a situation that will be made worse by the government’s £12bn welfare cuts. Read more on the Guardian website.