Bracknell Forest Council to spend £6m on housing

Housing worth £6m is being bought by Bracknell Forest Council to use as accommodation for homeless people.

The authority plans to buy up to 20 houses through its housing subsidiary, Downshire Homes, to avoid putting people in B&B accommodation.

It said it currently spent about £1m a year on emergency temporary accommodation.

The council said permanent homes were needed for about 30 homeless families in the area.

Councillor Dale Birch said: "It's an investment to ensure we can save money and take the pressure of the cost of homelessness to the council."

The council said out of the 20 properties bought, five would be offered to people with learning disabilities.