Number of homeless down in Rochdale

The number of people accepted as homeless by Rochdale Council is down 11% from the same time last year.

Statistics show that the number of households accepted as homeless in Rochdale between January and March has fallen to 49, down from 55 at the same time last year.

The figures also show a large decrease in the number of households in temporary accommodation, with numbers reduced by 34% since last year.

New national figures show the number of people accepted as homeless by local authorities is down 26% from the same time last year.

Nationally the number of households accepted as homeless in England between January and March has fallen to 11,350, down from 15,430 at the same time last year.

Housing Minister John Healey said: "We've made homelessness a high priority with the biggest ever cash injection of £220million over three years to tackle and prevent homelessness. Today's figures are testament to the hard work put in by local authorities and other agencies.

"At the same time we're helping families and first-time buyers into affordable homes through our £8bn housing programme, bringing forward £550 million to provide thousands more social homes sooner and real help now for those at risk of repossession."
The temporary accommodation statistics also indicate that local authorities are on track to meet the national target of halving the number of households to 50,500 by 2010, meaning that more people are being found settled homes.