Significant rise in homelessness in parts of Devon
- 27 Jun
Homelessness figures in North Devon have significantly risen in the past three years.
Figures released by local authorities across the county have revealed a large rise in the number of people seeking emergency housing help, reports the BBC.
Plymouth alone saw the figure treble in just the past year.
John Hamblin, of Devon homeless charity Shenikah Mission, says economic hardship is behind the increase and the region runs the risk of creating a class of "working poor".
In 2011, there were 87 people homeless in North Devon, which increased to 102 in 2012 and 190 in 2013.
The authority said it had increased help for rough sleepers but "a significant amount of the enhanced service provision will reduce from October 2014 creating a risk to this client group".
Councillor Chris Penberthy, from Plymouth City Council, said last year 104 single people asked for help from the housing service because they were immediately homeless and at risk of rough sleeping, compared with 27 in 2012.
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