Housing minister Grant Shapps says it's "misleading" to directly attribute the sharp increase in homelessness to cuts in housing benefit introduced in April. Figures released by Mr Shapps' department reveal there has been a 17% rise in the number of homeless households owed council accommodation, compared to the same quarter last year, with the figure now standing at 11,820. Responding to an article in the Financial Times, Mr Shapps said: "Households already claiming housing benefit have been given nine months additional protection before the changes take place. Families are still feeling the effects of the worst recession for a generation. We've maintained the £400 million homelessness grant funding, and I would urge anyone facing the threat of homelessness to seek help as soon as possible. And far from "weakening the safety net function of the social rented sector", we're introducing new flexibilities so councils and housing associations can better meet the needs of their new tenants by offering fixed term tenancies to give them the help they need, for as long as they need it.” Read more on 24dash.
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