Essex has one of the highest numbers of homeless families in the east of England, according to Shelter.

New figures published covering last year, show that out of 686 families in the county in need of assistance by the charity organisation, 66 per cent (456) of them were experiencing homelessness.

Basildon and Colchester were revealed as two districts in the county with the highest number of homeless families, 86 and 67 respectively, seeking the Shelter's help.

Uttlesford district had only four homeless families, the lowest number in the county.

Out of the whole of the east region more than a third of Shelter's 7,162 clients were families with children, while two thirds of those families (1,552) were experiencing homelessness.

Director of Shelter, Adam Sampson, said: "Shelter sees thousands of families with children every year who are experiencing the terrible hardship of bad housing and homelessness. These families are living at the sharp end of the housing crisis.

"It's vital that we continue our work if their lives are to be improved - we're calling on the public to help homeless children and sponsor a Shelter runner in this year's London Marathon."

Attention is on the effects that homelessness has on the children of these families. Frequently moving from between temporary housing results in the disruption of the child's education and friendship circles.

Shelter is calling for the government to fulfil its commitment to end using bed and breakfast hostels as temporary housing for homeless families, by March 2004.

Published Wednesday April 9, 2003

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