A charity is calling on councils to do more to prevent homelessness, after figures show that more than half of all applications for help are being turned down.
The figures show that while there was a 5% drop in the number of applications for help with homelessness made to councils, more than half are being turned away.
The analysis of the figures for Q4 of 2013 by Homeless Link also found the number of households placed in other local authority areas has increased by 23%, with the use of temporary accommodation also increasing by 7%.
Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: ‘The fact that fewer people are approaching their council for help is encouraging. However, with more than half of applications being turned away, we have to ask what happens to those who don’t get help.
‘Although we recognise that councils have struggled to meet the demand, there needs to be suitable alternatives in place. If people are not supported to find housing, they may be forced into illegal lets, sofa-surfing or even onto the streets.
‘We can prevent this not only with better advice and support but also with more targeted support to stop people losing their homes in the first place. The most common reason for people becoming homeless is their landlords ending their tenancy, a situation that in many cases could be prevented.’
