Milton Keynes Council hopes to cut the number of families housed in B&B hotels

Rising from 271 families at the end of March last year, to 530 last Friday - MK has had one of the highest increases in the country.

Against this backdrop of the growing use of temporary accommodation, MK Council has ‘sought’ to reduce the number of families in Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

Cabinet member for housing and adult social care Councillor Nigel Long, said: “Since 2015 the proportion of families in B&Bs has dropped from 53 per cent on average last year to 31 per cent as of last week.

“This is against the huge growth in the number of homeless families.

“Despite the lower percentage use of B&Bs, the situation is still dire for families, the council has set out to reduce the use of B&Bs as temporary accommodation.”

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 11) Councillor Long will authorise the conversion of Orchard House in Wolverton into temporary accommodation.

In addition, the council has started to use temporary accommodation in Luton and the first 20 families moved in last week.

The property will provide 110 apartments when fully operational.

Councillor Long, added: “We are working to secure alternatives to expensive B&B accommodation.

“Using Luton is not great, but it is preferable to using B&B hotels.”