THE number of families in Bradford that are homeless and living in temporary accommodation has almost doubled over the last year, according to the latest Government statistics.

Charity Shelter is warning that a combination of welfare cuts and a shortage of genuinely affordable homes is leaving more and more families struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

And the charity is worried things are set to get worse, following last week's budget announcement by the Government.

The latest statistics show that there were 39 families in Bradford living in temporary accommodation at the end of March, which compared to 20 at the same time last year.

Across Yorkshire and Humber there were a total of 346 families homeless and living in temporary accommodation, a rise of 18 per cent on the previous year.

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member with responsibility for housing and the homeless, said the increase was of concern, but the authority was still hitting its six-week target for the homeless moving out of temporary housing and into something more permanent.

She added that it was also investing in a scheme to provide better quality temporary accommodation for homeless people and families to prevent them being placed in B&B accommodation.

She said: "Any increase in the figures is worrying, but we need to look at the longer term trend to assess whether this is just a blip and take the appropriate action. We also need to put that in the context of the national economic position.

"Families on low incomes currently facing cuts in family tax credits may not have the money to pay their bills and rent is one of the things that could be hit by these changes."

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “These figures are yet another reminder of the impact welfare cuts and the drought of genuinely affordable homes is having on families and children in Yorkshire and the Humber.”

The Council is refurbishing a Clergy House in Barkerend Road to provide five flats for homeless families. In addition work is due to start in the autumn on building a block of 13 flats on a neighbouring site off Barkerend Road and Jermyn Street, called Jermyn Court.

Councillor Simon Cooke, leader of Conservative group on the Council, conceded homeless was a real problem but described Shelter's comments as misleading.

He said: “Bradford has an excellent track record in responding to families in the City facing housing problems. More than 2,000 individuals and families are successfully re-housed every year.

"Shelter’s press release is misleading about the housing situation in Bradford. The charity wrongly claims that there is a problem with “sky high housing costs” when Bradford has some of the lowest rents in the country.

"Shelter is trying to make out that the housing situation is the same across the country rather than recognising huge variations in affordability, quality and supply.

"The increase in people accommodated in temporary housing is a direct consequence of policy decisions by Labour-controlled Bradford Council and the transition to in-house provision following a long period of successful external provision.”