Homeless Cambridge families moved to Peterborough

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

Space shortages in Cambridge have forced the city council to source accommodation for some homeless families in Peterborough, 40 miles away.

Cambridge News reported that currently 82 households are in temporary accommodation, with about 90% of them including young children, and that seven families with children had so far been moved into Peterborough B&Bs.

Cambridge City Council's Executive councillor for housing Cllr Catherine Smart claimed that 14 Cambridge guesthouses had been approached but that none had offered assistance as they were too busy.

Cllr Smart said: “None have been able or willing to provide a service for the council, as Cambridge-based B&Bs enjoyed a good year-round tourist trade.”

Cllr Smart added that movement through some of the council-owned temporary accommodation had slowed because of a drop in lettings of permanent lodgings.

Cllr Richard Johnson said: “This shines a light on how bad the housing situation is in Cambridge.

"The Lib Dem council has promised to get waiting lists down over the past 12 years but they have been going up, with 1,500 going on to the list this year alone.

"The council must come up with new ways to deal with the situation".