Homeless figures reduce in Wales

The numbers accepted as homeless in Wales fell by 15%

The number of family units deemed as homeless has reduced in Wales according to the latest statistics.

In the three months to June, 1,337 family units were accepted as homeless in Wales - 15% less than on the same period last year.

But the rate of decline has flattened out and numbers in rural areas have risen over the last few months.

The assembly government welcomed the latest figures and said it wanted to help families stay in their homes.

The numbers of households in temporary accommodation also fell over the same period, by 4% to 2,749.

The figures show that of households in bed and breakfast accommodation, just 5% have children.

Shelter Cymru say the recession is having an effect on homelessness

Numbers in temporary accommodation peaked in 2005 but since then have been generally falling.

The use of temporary bed and breakfast accommodation has fallen sharply since the middle of 2004.

Jocelyn Davies, AM, Deputy Minister for Housing said the mortgage rescue scheme introduced last year had been successful in helping people stay in their homes.

"As of the end of August, 78 properties had been purchased under this scheme and the purchase of a further 87 properties had been approved," she said.

"I particularly welcome the further falls in the number of families with children in bed and breakfast accommodation, which is not normally appropriate for families."

The charity Shelter Cymru welcomed the decrease but said the statistics did not tell the whole story.

"It is important to remember that these figures don't give the full picture of homelessness in Wales," said John Puzey, director of Shelter Cymru.

"Many people approaching their council are dealt with through other channels, do not make a presentation and aren't counted as 'homeless'. We don't know what the outcomes are for these people."

Altogether the number of households accommodated temporarily at the end of June 2009 was 2,749 - 4% lower than the same period a year earlier and 3% lower than the previous quarter.

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