Cash fights rough sleepers crisis

Homeless people in north Derbyshire are to get more help to find a home.

The district council has received a government grant of £75,000 to tackle the problem in the Derbyshire Dales.

Seventy families are currently on the urgent homeless register but nearly a thousand people have been given housing advice over the last year.

The council will use the cash to help people pay for expensive deposits to rent homes privately due to a shortage of affordable housing in the dales.

Simon Beynon, council housing services officer said: "The money should make a real difference to people's lives.

"We're looking to prevent people from becoming homeless and where this can't be achieved to provide the best possible support and advice."

It is hoped there will be no families in bed and breakfast accommodation over the Christmas period.