Homelessness numbers down by 60 per cent

National statistics recently released show that the number of households accepted as homeless has been cut by 60 per cent since 2003.

The figures show that 14,340 households were accepted as homeless by local authorities between July to September 2008 - a 13 per cent reduction compared to the same quarter last year.

The statistics also show a continuing reduction in the number of households in temporary accommodation down to 72,130 - a 29 per cent reduction since 2004.

Homelessness Minister Iain Wright said: "This is a fantastic achievement by local authorities and their partners. We've come a long way in tackling homelessness, reducing homelessness acceptances by 60 per cent over the last five years and cutting the use of temporary accommodation by nearly a third since 2004.

"But we will not stop here, we want sustained reductions, which is why we are investing £200 million over the next three years in local authorities and the voluntary sector to tackle and prevent homelessness - the biggest cash injection ever for homelessness services.

"This is a long-term investment for a long-term solution. Solving homelessness is about providing not just the safety-net when people need it most, its also about giving them a helping hand back into employment and independence, which is exactly what our homelessness programmes aim to do."

The figures come as the Communities and Local Government-backed SPARK competition which encourages new and innovative business ideas to prevent and tackle homelessness opens for applications. The scheme invites social enterprises and individuals who are at risk of homelessness or have been homeless to bid for a share of a £1.6 million prize as well as business mentoring from the likes of PWC and BT. Profits from these enterprises are then used to help the homeless find training and employment. This builds on the success of last year's 15 winners which included an organic farm that provides employment and rehabilitation services to homeless people and a corporate bike servicing programme.

Encouraging organisations to apply Iain Wright said: "To reduce homelessness even further we need new and innovative solutions and this is exactly what SPARK makes possible. I would encourage social enterprises to grasp this great opportunity not only to obtain funding, but also to get expert advice from leading businesses to both grow as an enterprise and help change the lives of many more people."