Home in on the problem

IT is, perhaps, a social issue which is typified in the minds of most by the stereotypical man on the street claiming to be hungry and without shelter.

But the matter of homelessness stretches far beyond the plight of the odd individual – as today’s figures show. The statistics reveal Copeland has 215 families who are classed as homeless, while Barrow has 29 and South Lakeland 48.

The numbers may not be huge. But they represent people who, in many cases through no fault of their own, have no place to call home.

Among this number are families and young children and that, in today’s society simple should not be acceptable.

Intervention is key, and with hundreds, if not thousands of empty households scattered across the county, there should be more than enough to house those blighted by the heartbreak – not to mention stigma – that homelessness brings.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said the figures – produced by data company SSentif – were a “narrow and misleading snapshot”.

It is true that statistics can paint many a picture, depending on the author. But one thing is clear. There is a continuing issue with homelessness which is blighting our society.

And as a society, we have a responsibility to tackle it.

The lead must come from the top – which means the Government strategy makers have a task on their hands. For this is a problem which will not solve itself.