Council buys homes in bid to tackle homelessness
BBCAbout £500,000 in government money will be used to buy four homes in Devon, as a council tries to tackle a housing crisis.
Members of Torbay Council's cabinet are set to meet next Monday, with a report to the meeting due to say there has been a "notable increase" in homelessness in the bay.
Three homes will go to local families needing temporary accommodation, with the fourth part of the Afghan Resettlement Programme, which helps families who supported British forces during the conflict in Afghanistan, and whose lives may be in danger in their home country as a result.
The government is providing £551,500 towards the project while the council will have to find the remaining £750,000.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the first three three-bedroomed homes will be new-builds in Paignton, while the fourth has not yet been identified.
The report highlighted that funding new homes will be cheaper than paying out for unsuitable temporary accommodation elsewhere.
The council could get the keys to the first three "modern, well-insulated and efficient" homes in September.
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