Homeless families total 100,000
The homeless figure for England has topped 100,000 families for the first time, the government is to confirm.
More than three quarters of homeless families are living in good quality, self contained temporary homes, ministers will stress.
An extra £150m is being released to help the 500,000 homeless people.
Brian Douglas, of the charity, Shelter, said the figures were a "damning indictment" on the fourth-richest country in the world.
Temporary accommodation could have a negative impact on people's - and especially children's - health, education and prospects, he said.
He said there were not enough affordable social houses available to rent, adding: "It's a half a billion pound problem the government is going to have to dig very deep to resolve."
'Hidden homeless'
Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people, said the figures were a national scandal.
"These new figures are shocking but they are only the tip of the iceberg.
"When you add in the 380,000 'hidden homeless' - those living in hostels, squats and other places - there are nearly half a million homeless people in the UK today," said chief executive Shaks Ghosh.
The government insisted it was acting to tackle the problem. New measures are expected to be outlined on Monday.
A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said it was making "good progress" in reducing the number of rough sleepers and homeless families living long-term in bed and breakfast hostels.
"Reducing the numbers in temporary accommodation is a major priority for the government," he added.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4090937.stm
Published: 2004/12/13 05:23:12 GMT
© BBC MMIV
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