MORE than 80 people threatened with homelessness are in emergency accommodation in Taunton Deane.

The figure was revealed at a community scrutiny meeting of the council on Tuesday evening (October 16).

Emergency accommodation is given to people who are homeless and meet the council's 'specified criteria'.

The council confirmed the number of people currently in emergency accommodation is 85 - which includes 26 families and 17 single people.

The introduction of the Homeless Reduction Act earlier this year, which extended the entitlement for help for homeless people, has led to an increase in demand, the council says.

A spokesman added: "The council has a statutory duty under legislation to provide emergency accommodation to those who are homeless and who meet other specified criteria.

"Since the introduction of the Homeless Reduction Act (HRA) in April this year the council also has a greater duty to help people before the threat of being homeless becomes reality.

"As a direct result of this the council has seen a 62 per cent increase in the number of people approaching us for advice.

"This pattern is in common with local authorities across the county.”