Homeless families in B&Bs have doubled

THE number of homeless families sent to live in bed and breakfast accommodation by Birmingham City Council has doubled in just a year.

New official figures show 574 Birmingham households classed as homeless are living in bed and breakfasts.

That’s up from 272 households the year previously.

And shocking figures show that 168 Birmingham families with children have been stuck in B&Bs for at least six weeks.

The statistics, published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, suggest attempts to deal with the scandal of homelessness in Birmingham have not succeeded.

The city council has also placed 143 Birmingham households in hostels. Others have been found temporary accommodation in property owned by the council, or with a private landlord.

In total, there are 2,058 Birmingham households classed as homeless and living in temporary accommodation provided by the city council. This is up from 1,556 last year.

The figures, published today, are a snapshot showing the situation on March 31 this year. Earlier this year, The Post revealed that more than 30 families had been living at the Travelodge in Frankley for more than a year, because Birmingham City Council cannot find them appropriate housing.

Others have been moved into Travelodges in areas including Yardley, Castle Bromwich, Perry Barr and Sutton Coldfield.