Council Breaks Homeless Housing Law

Oxford City Council has broken a law against housing homeless families in B&Bs for more than six weeks. The local authority said this was due to an "unexpectedly high number" of homeless families in September and high rents charged by private landlords. It is the first time it has broken the rule - imposed under government legislation - since 2004. The government said the long-term use of B&Bs to house families was "both unacceptable and unlawful". Read more on the BBC website.

Prisk Attacks Councils Placing Homeless Families in B&Bs

Housing minister Mark Prisk has attacked councils that are accommodating homeless families in bed and breakfasts for longer than the six-week legal limit.  New figures have shown that nearly 80% of the 760 families placed in B&Bs for longer than six weeks came from 16 councils. To tackle the issue Prisk is offering councils nearly £2 million to address the problem and adopt a “Gold Standard” approach to homelessness. Under this system, councils will test new solutions and learn from neighbouring areas who have managed to turn the situation around. Read more on 24dash.