The number of homeless households in temporary accommodation across Cheshire has risen year-on-year, according to new Government figures.
Data released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows that between April and June 2019, there were 69 households in temporary accommodation across Cheshire West and 28 in Cheshire East.
Both boroughs saw an increase over the same period in 2018, when there were 53 households in temporary accommodation across Cheshire West and 22 in Cheshire East.
However, the figures show the number of households in temporary accommodation has fallen since winter 2018-19.
In Cheshire East, the number rose from 18 in July to September 2018 to 33 in October to December 2018, and a peak of 41 in January to March 2019.
In Cheshire West, the number increased from 53 in April to June 2018 to 72 in July to September 2018, 74 in October to December 2018, and a peak of 81 in January to March 2019.
The MHCLG figures also state that between April and June 2019 there were 35 homeless children in temporary accommodation from Cheshire West, and 11 from Cheshire East.
Thirty-two households from Cheshire West and two from Cheshire East were living in bed and breakfasts at the time, while 16 Cheshire West households were in hostels and a further 15 from Cheshire East.
Housing charity Shelter conducted its own research into homelessness across the north west.
It says homelessness has risen by 117% since it first looked at the stats in 2016.
John Ryan, Shelter Manchester hub manager, said: “Homelessness blights lives and leaves a lasting imprint of trauma.
“As well as those facing serious ill-health or even death sleeping rough on our streets this winter, there are too many families trapped in grotty emergency B&Bs, with no space for children to sit and eat, let alone play.
“This is the grim truth our new government must confront and do something radical to change.”
Shelter is running an urgent Christmas appeal to support homeless people this winter.
For more information visit shelter.org.uk
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What is needed is a bigger involvement of volunteers to help. I bet there are hundreds of empty properties in the area that although empty can easily be turned into comfortable homes. What we need is a community based trades blitz to help ease the burden of these unfortunate folk. Count me in I am a plumber.