Lunchtime news March 6

DCLG statistics show new cases of homelessness in the final quarter of 2006 were down 20% on the same period in 2005. Acceptances were half what they were three years ago. The number of families in temporary accomodation also fell below 90,000 for the first time since 2003.

Up to 10,000 acres of green belt land could be developed for housing, making billions of pounds for the Queen and some of Britain’s biggest companies, according to a joint investigation by The Guardian and the CPRE.

Up to 1.5m Americans could lose their homes in the housing market downturn, according to a report by financial news agency Bloomberg.

In contrast, the DCLG house price index showed UK prices rose 10.9% in the year to January – up from 9.9% in December.

And UK housebuilder Bovis announed a 13.7% increase in profits and forecast a strong market in 2007.

The Observer reported on continuing problems with open market homebuy.

Second home owners have formed a new organisation amid fears they face being scapegoated in a government clampdown, according to the Sunday Telegraph.