Council Searching For Homes for Homeless Families

Croydon Council is searching southern England for properties as it seeks to fix its homelessness crisis. The council's specially assembled housing supply taskforce has already secured 89 new properties. The number of families in temporary accommodation in Croydon has risen by 30% in the last year compared to an increase of less than 5% in London and 7% in England. The council has taken the action in an attempt to prevent fewer families being placed into bed and breakfast accommodation.  The council was previously able to combat homelessness by providing private rented accommodation, but the supply has dried up following the downturn in the housing market. Only 11 private rented properties were allocated directly to homeless households in the first seven months of 2012/13.Read more on the Croydon Advertiser website.