Decline in number of homeless

The number of homeless households has fallen by 13 per cent in year on year figures, and by 60 per cent since 2003, according to Communities and Local Government figures. There was also a reduction in households in temporary accommodation, which dropped 3 per cent in the last quarter and 13 per cent in annual figures, to cut the use of temporary accommodation by nearly a third since 2004. The government is investing £200 million during the next three years to bring the number down further. Homelessness minister Iain Wright said that it was a fantastic achievement by local authorities and their partners.