Homelessness on the rise

Nearly a third of councils in the east of England have reported an increase in homelessness in the past year. Councils in Norfolk, Bedfordshire and the London commuter belt were likely to see an increased number of homeless people and a rise in enquiries about joining housing lists due to increasing repossessions because of mortgage arrears. However, 12 per cent of local authorities had seen homelessness numbers decreasing and 52 per cent has not seen a change in numbers.