Council Looks to Move Homeless outside London

Croydon Council is looking at offering homeless households accommodation outside the borough due to the lack of council houses in the area and the high rents being demanded by private landlords. Croydon has already acquired properties in Manchester and Walsall, however some of those in temporary accommodation had refused to take up the offer.  It now says it is going into partnership with Richmond, Kingston and Sutton councils with a view to jointly obtaining 150 properties outside London, with Croydon "taking the larger portion".  The council says it has seen a 36% increase in homeless numbers in 2011/12 - leading to a 200% spike in its use of B&B lets.  It further warns that the planned introduction of the household benefit cap next April will leave a couple with three children, for example, with a maximum rent allowance of £176.18, a shortfall of £76.82 against the average LHA rent in Croydon.  Read more on 24dash.