Statistics show that new cases of homelessness reported by LAs in the region have fallen by five per cent in comparison to the same period last year to 1,450 - the lowest level nationally since the early 1980s. However, last year more than a third of new cases of homelessness were young people aged under-25.
The funding builds on a package of measures announced last year in the Government's National Youth Homelessness Scheme, including a new target to end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds by 2010.
Yvette Cooper said:
"Children and young people can face the most severe consequences if they experience homelessness, which can haunt them for the rest of their lives. That is why we need to do more help teenagers and young people who find themselves homeless alone. This funding will help local authorities implement plans to tackle and reduce youth homelessness."
The Government is working to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation to 50,500 by 2010. While 90 per cent of households in temporary accommodation are living in self contained housing, they do not provide the security and opportunities a settled home brings.
Anthony Lawton, Chief Executive of Centrepoint told us:
"This is an exciting milestone for the National Youth Homelessness Scheme. Centrepoint is proud to be a partner, working with other key organisations to develop a source of good practice for local authorities and agencies working with young people. The much needed funding will help these local authorities set up a range of innovative projects to tackle and prevent youth homelessness"
The Government is also committed to increasing the rate of house building to 200,000 new homes each year by 2016 to address the supply and affordability problems. We also plan to build an extra 10,000 social homes a year by 2008 - a 50 per cent increase on current rates. The government is shortly to outline progress on plans to update the overcrowding standard, and has invested £20m to help tackle the problem.
