THE Government’s homelessness prevention and relief 2017-18 statistics released recently have shown an increase in the number of people in East Hampshire living in temporary accommodation and B&Bs.

The figures reflect the upward trend for the South-East as a whole where the number of people currently living in temporary accommodation is 8,474 - up by 391 people from last year and 4,816 from 2010, while the number of those living in bed and breakfast is 732

Nationally, the statistics show the total number of people currently living in temporary accommodation in England is 79,880, up three per cent from last year and 56 per cent from 2010, while the total number living in B&Bs is 5,940, a decrease of 10 per cent from last year (6,580), but an increase of 190 per cent from 2010 (2050)

Responding to the figures, Jon Sparkes Crisis chief executive, said: “While we welcome steps the Government has taken around preventing homelessness, these figures are a stark reminder that there are still far too many people who are homeless and stuck in temporary accommodation or being placed in sub-standard and sometimes dangerous B&Bs.”

In East Hampshire the total number of people in temporary accommodation is 116, up 20 from 2017 and an increase of 31 from 2010, while the total number of people in B&Bs remains unchanged from 2017 at five but up from three in 2010.

In addition, figures from East Hampshire District Council show two people living on the streets in East Hampshire in 2017, up from one in 2016 but equal to the 2015 figure.

A spokesman for EHDC told The Herald: “Each year a rough sleepers count is carried out in the district with the support of our partners to establish how many people are considered to be street homeless.”

“EHDC’s housing team is very aware of hidden homelessness and ‘sofa surfing’ which can hide the true figure. We urge anyone who is at threat of homelessness to contact the team on 01730 255661.”

Explaining the work of EHDC’s housing team in helping people threatened with homelessness to try to find a way of keeping a roof over their heads, the spokesman added: “Very often this can mean finding a way to keep people in their current home.

“If family relationships have broken down, leading to a child moving out, or if a landlord and tenant cannot agree, the team will mediate between the parties to help find a resolution.

“Sometimes we are unable to avoid someone becoming homeless and in those cases we have a duty to provide emergency accommodation, normally bed and breakfast.

“At any one time we could have five or six households in B&Bs. The household will move into longer-term ‘temporary accommodation’ as soon as possible.

“Temporary accommodation can be a long-term let with a housing association for larger families or a bedsit for the smaller families.

“All the accommodation for families is self-contained with cooking facilities and bathrooms.

“On average 115-120 units of temporary accommodation are occupied each year but this figure fluctuates during the year.

“Families can spend a number of years in the accommodation awaiting to bid on a permanent home of their choice.”

East Hampshire District Council helped over 600 households avoid homelessness last year.

New rules governing homelessness have recently been introduced by the Government and EHDC has received a further £170,500 of extra funding to support the prevention of homelessness.

EHDC housing manager Kerry Hoskins said: “The very best solution to homelessness is to prevent it happening in the first place.

“We have a ‘tool kit’ of things we use to help people either stay in their current home, or find somewhere new.

“And there is a list of organisations and charities which we can turn to for help.

“There’s lots we can do but if we were not here to offer this safety net then a lot of these people would be on the street.”

nHampshire County Council’s homelessness support services currently comprise hostels and other supported accommodation, as well as community support services.

These services complement the support provided by district and borough councils which have a statutory duty to ‘prevent and relieve’ homelessness.

New proposals put forward are to move away from providing support for those with less critical needs, and to focus support on the most vulnerable - which would include 24/7 supported accommodation to meet the needs of people who are sleeping rough, or at risk of sleeping rough.

The proposals set out options for potential savings of £1.8million, and include a continued spend of £2.4million on homelessness support to help those most in need.

Those with less critical needs would be helped to access other sources of information, advice and assistance.