Homelessness 'crisis' in the east

More housing is needed in the area to cure homelessness

Numbers of people left homeless have more than doubled in Peterborough and Essex over the past five years.

The National Housing Federation (NHF) are calling the situation a "crisis".

Other parts of the region have also seen increases in homelessness since 1999 because of the shortage of affordable dwellings.

Gina King, Head of Region for the NHF, said: "Building programmes are falling short of what is needed and the problem appears most acute at Christmas."

Thousands of people across the eastern counties are without a permanent home according to figures just released by the National Housing Federation.

Large increases

The figures compare the situation in 1999-2000 with the picture today which shows 10 leading council areas suffering an acute shortage of homes.

2003/04 numbers and % change Norwich (770) 18% Colchester (562) 2% Luton (482) 85% Peterborough (469) 175% Braintree (397) 33% Thurrock (396) 113% Bedford (367) -1.0% Basildon (364) -23% Chelmsford (352) -8.0% Welwyn Hatfield (336) 49%

Homelessness increased by 175% in Peterborough, 113% in Thurrock and 85% in Luton.

But fewer people were homeless in Basildon (23% down) and Bedford (1% less).

Gina King, said: "The total number of affordable homes produced last year in the East was 2,796 against an annual requirement of about 7,000 to meet need.

"Taking right to buy sales into account, the affordable housing stock in the East of England is declining.

Top ten councils by number and % increase since 1999- 2000 Peterborough (469) 175% Southend-on-Sea (329) 172% Mid Bedfordshire (126) 121% Thurrock (396) 113% West Norfolk (333) 85% Luton (482) 85% Brentwood (156) 68% Harlow (311) 63% Great Yarmouth (326) 59% Huntingdonshire (233) 56%

"What this means in real terms is that many homeless families face a miserable Christmas with no hope of a home in sight.

"There is clearly a dire shortage of affordable housing in the region. Every home not built means another family remains homeless, overcrowded or in sub standard housing conditions.

"The right to buy losses mean that despite all our efforts to build more affordable housing, its like trying to run a bath with the plug left out.

"Without the will, and substantial extra public investment there is no chance at all of this goal being met."