12 March 2007
Tony Blair says the Government will continue its "relentless focus" in tackling homelessness.
Figures released today show that new cases of homelessness are continuing to fall. They are nearly 20 per cent down on this time last year.
The numbers living in temporary accommodation are also falling.
But the PM said there was "no room for complacency", adding:
"Given the misery and despair it causes, we will continue to bring a relentless focus to tackling homelessness."
Read the PM’s comments in full
Ever since this Government came to power, we have made determined efforts to tackle the scandal of homelessness.
And new figures today underline the steady progress we are making.
They show that new cases of homelessness are now at their lowest for over 20 years.
The statistics show the numbers who became homeless during October to December last year are continuing to fall and are nearly 20% down on the same period the previous year.
This is, of course, on top of the reduction by two-thirds of the number of people sleeping rough on our streets since 1997 - and the end of families being placed in long-term bed and breakfast accommodation
There are also encouraging signs that those living in temporary accommodation are starting to fall.
The figures show the numbers dropping below 90,000 for the first time since 2003.
Many of those living in temporary accommodation, of course, will be in good quality homes but without a permanent right to stay. This is what they want.
So there is no room for complacency. We want to do much better and have set a target to half those in temporary accommodation by 2010 as well as ending 16 and 17-year-olds in B&B accommodation.
To help achieve this, we have ambitious plans to build more homes including social housing.
Given the misery and despair it causes, we will continue to bring a relentless focus to tackling homelessness.
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