Homeless Acceptances Rise 86% in Two Years

Westminster has seen an 86% rise in the number of people accepted as homeless between 2010/11 and 2012/13 - and further rises are predicted when the government's household benefit cap kicks in later this year.  According to a new report to Westminster City Council’s Cabinet, the London borough's spend on temporary accommodation for the homeless is predicted to be £6 million above budget this year.  Council officers have told the local authority that more temporary accommodation is required and “an estimated 600 new self-contained units are needed during 2013/14 and a portfolio of at least 2,000 will be needed until 2020”.  Most of the new homes to be purchased or leased by the council will be outside Westminster and will “be a maximum of 1.25 hours travelling distance from central London”.  Read the report on the Westminster City Council website.