HOMELESSNESS ON THE RISE IN SOUTHAMPTON

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

City MP, Sandra Gidley, has today called for action to help the growing numbers of homeless people in Southampton.

New figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government have revealed that the numbers of homeless within the city have risen by half in the last year, while the number of homeless being housed by the council has fallen by 16%.

Commenting today from Westminster, Sandra said:

"These figures make for worrying, though unsurprising, reading.

"The government have utterly failed to address the housing crisis in the south east. With higher interest rates and many people struggling to make ends meet - it is no surprise that there are more and more homeless people in the city.

"In March, Liberal Democrats backed calls in Parliament to give councils the power and resources to build new houses. The measure was defeated by the government whilst the Conservatives sat on their hands and refused to take part in the vote.

"Had the measures been agreed, we could start to address the problem in Southampton. Instead, we will end up with more people in temporary housing and many others living in over-crowded conditions."

Commenting on the falling numbers of those being re-housed, Sandra added:

"The council has to take action to remedy this problem. At worst, they need to get more of these people into temporary shelter and at best provide more social housing in the city. One thing's for sure, this trend is unlikely to change quickly - we need action now."

ENDS