40 per cent fewer homeless young people in bed and breakfast

40 per cent fewer homeless young people in bed and breakfast
National figures released today show that the number of vulnerable young 16 and 17 year olds being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has fallen by 40 per cent over the last year.The number of 16 and 17 year olds living alone in bed and breakfast accommodation fell from 550 to 330 during 2008 as a result of a range of measures the Government has introduced, including a new national supported lodgings scheme and improved access to family mediation for young people at risk of homelessness to help them stay at home with their families where possible.Where staying in the family home is no longer an option, Government funding has created of a new national supported lodgings development scheme to provide accommodation, advice and mediation services for young people to get their lives back on track.Homelessness Minister Iain Wright said:"Young people at risk of becoming homeless are some of the most vulnerable in society and simply parking these young people in bed and breakfast accommodation without ensuring they have the skills or confidence for independent living just isn't good enough."That is why we have committed to ending the long term use of bed and breakfast for 16 and 17 year olds by 2010, replacing it with supported lodgings and high quality emergency accommodation, with skilled staff and family mediation."But most importantly, we're providing young people and their families with support to prevent young people becoming homeless in the first place - giving them the chance to lead independent and successful lives."Statistics also released today show the number of households in temporary accommodation has fallen for the 13th consecutive quarter, down to 67,480 - the lowest level since 2000. Homeless acceptances have also dropped, by 21per cent compared to the same period last year, and by 62per cent compared to 2003, to a low of 12,070.Notes to editors1. The statistics on homelessness, released today can be found at:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/homelessnessq420082. On 14 November 2006 the Government announced a package of measures to tackle youth homelessness, included in this was a commitment to end, by 2010, the use of bed and breakfast accommodation by local housing authorities in discharging their homelessness duty to secure suitable accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds3. Details on current measures to tackle youth homelessness can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/youth/Media Enquiries: 020 7944 3049News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroomClient ref 052COI ref 171672P

NDS - News Distribution Service

Blogged with the Flock Browser