HOMELESS individuals and families in Blackburn with Darwen could be housed in accommodation leased by the council from private landlords.

The borough would arrange to find them the deposit of between £400 and £500 needed to put a roof over their heads.

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Senior councillors will consider the radical proposals on Thursday when they discuss a new strategy to deal with the growing number of residents living rough, sofa-surfing or staying in hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation.

The number of homeless in the borough has risen by 32 per cent in three years.

Council statistics show it received 1,456 enquiries about accommodation from homeless people in 2010/11 and 1,923 in 2013/14.

Many find it difficult to persuade private landlords to let properties to them and impossible to raise a large deposit.

This applies particularly to single young people with drink, drug and mental health problems.

A report by Peter Cooke, Service Lead for Strategic Housing, said: “Whilst there has been a significant general increase in those at risk of homelessness in recent years, the biggest increase has been amongst single people, particularly young people and those with special needs (substance abuse, mental health).”

Mr Cooke suggests employing a managing agent to lease properties from the private landlords which the council could then let to homeless households.