Having been homeless and researched the issue it is one of changing labour markets as well.

In tourism it used to be that seasonal labour took in what were young persons as job with the accommodation. More and more labour is coming in as cheap labour with accom from Third World countries, indeed at one local fare I was offered labour with accom provided at less than B#500 a month.

In contrast too, the armed forces dispenses of its families who cannot get on the ladder as to either marriage break up single families, or end of contract/illhealth. The ladder of homeless due to ousting from quarters leaves the North West exposed to this sector of homeless, that cannot enter private accommodation as too dear, or afford to buy.

In smaller families what we are saying is domestic violence and flight from shared homes, marriage break ups, illness and parents going into nursing homes and the family home being sold to pay nursing fees that were part of council house stock till right to buy came as option.

To the homeless there is little choice as the rents are capped to suit the area. In private rents there are restrictions, no children, no pets, no smokers, and if lucky they may have furniture. If not they cannot take the accommodation.

My recommendations are access to the jobcentre plus where online vacancies include hotels who offer work and accommodation for single persons only. But in the sick and disabled there is a crisis.

In single parents there is no longer the supportive structure of extended families as each is trying to survive. Children are needing schooling nearby and car and transport are two big issues that need tackling in where children are housed. Out of county placement only works if there is a knowledge of hostels, and other accommodation. It is now easy for group share to kit out a home on ebay. But the fact is resources of homes for people with or without children was not answered when council houses were sold. The need for units of single person homes as terraces and of family homes was not solved after the second world war when Arcon tin instant homes were actioned. Land is now for commercial not domestic in towns and villaged disappear because of second home owners.

The price of homes in places offering regeneration is less at the moment but will rise. If more indepth view is needed from the Oldham councillors I am willing to share it. Oldham is a growth town in tourism not least because of the canal network and use of now holiday destination. It can resolve this by understanding the points system which does not address minus stock and maximum need in a society that has social problems. Address the social problems and some of that mountain of homeless will disappear.