Wiltshire Council has ended the use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless families and vulnerable single people in the county – nearly two years ahead of its target.

The council had set itself a target to stop using bed-and-breakfast accommodation by March 2011, and the last two single vulnerable people moved out of Wiltshire bed-and-breakfasts on April 16.

There were 45 households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in April 2008.

In addition to eliminating the use of bed and breakfast, the housing options team has successfully reduced the total number of households in temporary accommodation.

March 2008 saw a total of 265 households in some form of temporary accommodation, but as of the April 1, 2009 this figure had significantly reduced to only 179 households.

Head of housing options, Angie Rawlins, said: "I am delighted that, by working in partnership with external and internal agencies and through sheer hard work and dedication, the team has eliminated the use of bed-and-breakfast and continues to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation.

“The outcome of this success means that households are able to remain in their own home or are assisted to move to alternative accommodation.”