25 February 2005
The government is making significant progress in meeting its targets on reducing homelessness, according to National Audit Office figures published this week.
There are now around 500 people sleeping rough on the streets. In 1998, that number was 1,850, and the government had pledged to reduce that number by two-thirds.
The watchdog also found that up to 24,000 families with children had 'experienced improved surroundings and quality of life while waiting for a permanent home'.
Ministers had pledged that by March 2004, no homeless family would have to live in bed and breakfast accommodation except in an emergency.
Councils nationwide may have saved up to £60m by using alternatives to B&Bs, which the NAO claimed was an 'expensive option'.
However, Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, said more still needed to be done. 'It remains a real concern that homelessness applications are high and that such large numbers of people are living in temporary accommodation,' he said.
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