The ODPM has taken its first step towards tackling the rising number of families with children in temporary accommodation.

The department’s autumn performance report, published on Tuesday, revealed that it wants to cut the number of families in temporary housing from 29,000 to 20,000 before 2016.

Zulfiqar Mulak, assistant director of housing needs for Hackney council, backed the move.

He said: “This is the first time we have got a target on reducing temporary accommodation. They want to reduce numbers – but not by a specific number.

“There has been a lot of activity going on with the government’s emphasis on prevention. The emphasis has certainly shifted from provision to prevention. I don’t think this is unachievable – it really depends on how many resources we get in.”

The report also revealed that the ODPM has met or is on course to meet all but two of the public sector agreement targets set out in the 2002 spending review.

The two exceptions are: the cost effectiveness element of the local government target and progress on referenda for elected regional assemblies for the North-west and Yorkshire & Humber.

The report revealed there had been “little change in cost effectiveness over the period”. Performance has increased by almost 7% from 2000/1 against the cost effectiveness indicators, but expenditure has risen faster.

This results in a cost effectiveness figure of –0.3 in 2002/3 and a cumulative improvement of just 0.1% since 2000/1.

The second target was hit by the North-east’s rejection of an elected assembly (HT 12 November, page 11).

Source

Housing Today