A SCHEME which provides housing for the homeless has been extended for three years to carry on providing a roof over the head of Hillingdon's needy.

The Private Sector Leasing contract between Hillingdon Council and Orchard and Shipman plc started five years ago and finds high-standard accommodation for homeless people.

From the outset, it dramatically reduced the use of bed and breakfast accommodation to house families with children.

There are more than 800 properties, supplied by individual private landlords, managed through the scheme.

Councillor Philip Corthorne, Hillingdon Council's cabinet member for social services, health and housing, said: "The Private Sector Leasing scheme has been very successful, it allowed us to pioneer new ways to meet the government's targets about providing non bed and breakfast accommodation to homeless families ahead of the pack and has been used as the template for other similar schemes."

The use of the private sector means the council is able to spread accommodation through the borough and provide more settled provisions for families with children.

It also allows individuals and families to be housed close to their own communities, which in turn helps preserve family ties and provides stability around schooling and medical care.