Number of families in temporary accommodation more than doubled in a decade

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Apr 2008

New figures unearthed by local Liberal Democrats have exposed Labour's failure to tackle the housing crisis hitting families in Haringey in the last decade.

Since 1997, when Labour came to power nationally, the number of households living in temporary accommodation has soared from 2,322 to 5,447 - the second highest number in London and four times the London average.

Cllr Carolyn Baker, Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson, adds:

"These figures are a shameful testament to current Labour governance. This means that 5,447 families are without a proper home in Haringey. Residents have continually had to bear the brunt of an ineffective local council, unable and seemingly unwilling to tackle this housing crisis, and a national government hell bent on strangling council housing. It shows Labour's complete failure to deal with housing needs."

Note: figures from Department for Communities and Local Government Homelessness returns (quarterly)