PLANS to revolutionise standards of temporary housing for homeless people in North Wiltshire have been approved.

In 2004 the Government aims to end the practice of placing homeless people in bed and breakfast hotels, often away from their family and friends.

Instead, North Wiltshire District Council has agreed to privately lease houses, managed by registered social landlords, which it will rent to homeless families and individuals.

The council believes the scheme will mean improved housing conditions for homeless people in areas closer to their family networks.

North Wiltshire District Council's lead member for the private sector leasing scheme, coun Judy Rooke, said: "It will help ensure homeless families are in better, self-contained accommodation."

At the end of September, North Wiltshire had ten families and 16 single people living in bed and breakfast accommodation. Six of them had been found a place to live outside the district because there is not enough temporary accommodation in North Wiltshire.

A report presented to the district council's executive committee on Thursday admitted the bed and breakfast accommodation was often poor and "inadequate for people who have already suffered the trauma of losing their permanent housing and are often vulnerable."

In the report the council estimated that the cost of subsidising 20 properties within the scheme would be £15,000 a year, cheaper than the current cost of temporary accommodation, which has been budgeted at £20,000.

The report stated that there was also the possibility of significant savings in the housing benefit budget.

It estimated that ten families living in private sector leased housing could save the council as much as £3,215 a week.

The council agreed to set up the private sector leasing scheme and fund it with existing budgets.