155% rise in families forced into temporary accommodation in Crawley

In Crawley, there as been a staggering 155% rise in Crawley families forced into expensive temporary accommodation since the Conservatives came to power. At the same time, council support from central government has fallen in Crawley by 55%.

Across England the number of households in temporary accommodation has more than doubled to the highest levels since records began – costing councils around £2bn per year.

Last week, Crawley Borough Council declared a ‘Housing Emergency’, recognising the extreme pressure being placed upon the council’s finances as a result of the growth statutory homelessness. The chronic lack of social housing has forced councils across the country to pay to house people in private temporary accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs while they wait for a permanent home.

Labour has promised to tackle the housing crisis by building 1.5m homes over five years if it wins the next General Election.

Publishing the figures, Peter Lamb–Labour candidate for Crawley–said:

“Crawley has taken a hammering under the Conservatives. The Tories have failed to build the homes we need and the number of homeless households is soaring – costing the council a fortune in temporary accommodation – yet support from central government has been slashed well beyond breaking point.

“The truth is the Conservative Party refuses to give Crawley a fair deal. Even as the Conservatives forced up council tax, we still facing huge reductions in spending power due to cuts in government support.

“After 14 years, it’s clear that Crawley cannot get a fair deal from the Government under the Conservatives. It’s time for change. It’s time for Labour.”