ALMOST 300 families are classed as "homeless" across East Lancashire according to new figures out today.
Government statistics for the final quarter of 2004 show there were 273 local families looking for a place to live -- many living in temporary accommodation.
The figures were released as the Government published its new homelessness strategy called 'Sustainable Communities: settled homes, changing lives'.
Under the strategy the Government plans to increase spending in homelessness prevention and halve the number of households living in temporary accommodation by 2010.
The figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister reveal that in Blackburn with Darwen there were 38 families without homes; 54 in Hyndburn; 15 in Ribble Valley; 53 in Chorley; 40 in Burnley; in Pendle there were 35; and Rossendale had 38 homeless families at the end of 2004.
The Government also announced today it would be making Manchester City Council and Burnley Council "homlessness champions" to share their expertise and good practice in tackling homelessness with other local authorities.
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