Urgent Solution Sought For Borough Homeless

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jan 2002

The Council's continued use of bed and breakfast accommodation to solve the "short term homeless" problem in Bedford came under fire last night.

Speaking after a meeting of Bedford Borough Councils Community and Culture Policy Review and Development Committee, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson, Paul Smith said:

" I have visited some of this accommodation and I find it totally unacceptable that it continues to be used as a solution to the Homeless problem. Some of these properties are both awful for those forced to live in them and costly to the council. The number of homeless applications increased by 22% last year and looks set to continue to rise, it's vital then that we provide a long term sustainable strategy as well as immediately addressing the short term situation. Action is needed now to provide temporary accommodation for the homeless. We cannot allow the continued use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation as a solution to temporary homelessness. We urgently need a homeless strategy that addresses this and realises that alternatives must be found and fast."

The Councils current Homeless strategy is being updated in light of the new Homeless Bill put forward by the Government.