A TOTAL of 625 households were prevented from becoming homeless by Redbridge Council last year.

But the authority only helped eight people out of homelessness, according to government figures.

This compared to 248 in Waltham Forest, 674 in Newham and 30 in Havering.

The data, released by the Department for Communities and Local Government, place the council 12th on the list of the 33 London boroughs for tackling homelessness.

The 633 cases dealt with in 2010-11 represents a sizeable increase on 2009-10’s figure of 470 cases.

However, the government said the rise could be down to more comprehensive reporting by the authority.

In total, 38 per cent of Redbridge Council’s homelessness prevention cases last year were able to remain in their own homes, while the remainder were helped to find alternative accommodation.

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