Homelessness Figures Up 18%

New statistics show a massive rise in homeless acceptances across England.
Figures show 12,830 homeless applications were accepted between October and December 2011 - a rise of 18% since the same time the previous year.  In London, the figures show a 36% rise over the same period.  In seven London boroughs – including Ealing, Bexley and Waltham Forest - the number of homeless households more than doubled over twelve months, with the biggest rise in Hounslow at 245%.  The National Statistics on Statutory Homelessness also show 48,920 households were in temporary accommodation at the end of last year – 2% higher than the same date in 2010.  Read more on the Shelter website.