Homelessness up 16 per cent in Islington
The number of homeless families in Islington has jumped five per cent in the last year, a new report warns.
In total, there were 947 households without a home to call their own in July, up from 900 in March 2011, according to Islington Council’s statement of finance, which was presented at last week’s meeting of the executive.
The report also predicts the number will reach 976 by the end of 2012.
– most of which is blamed on the Government’s new housing benefit cap.
Town Hall has a duty to provide temporary accommodation for these families, and the cost this year is �2.5million.
And with more government cuts on the horizon, Islington’s finance chief warns that things are only going to get worse.
Cllr Richard Greening, Islington Council’s executive member for finance, said: “Grant Shapps became housing minister and said homelessness would be his greatest achievement – and it’s on the rise already.
Most Read
- 1 Islington men charged after jewellery store robbery
- 2 Old Bailey: Pair enter pleas over Alex Smith murder
- 3 New Aldi on Old Street to open this month
- 4 Man charged after staff assault at Barking Asda
- 5 Hit Brighton food hall operator to open Upper Street venue
- 6 Guilty: 4 teenagers admit 27 offences after series of 19 robberies
- 7 Siblings open community-oriented park coffee hut
- 8 Homes under the Planner: Schemes submitted or approved in Islington in June
- 9 Karate champion helps children to build confidence through martial arts
- 10 Man charged with 1974 murder of woman found in Highbury
“We will do what we can to rehouse people, but the fact is these benefit cuts by the government are resulting in homelessness.
“There are more cuts scheduled for April and previous cuts are beginning to bite now. As the screw tightens we will see more and more of in impact.
“It’s going to create very serious pressure on our budget and the money has got to come from somewhere. Something’s got to give.”