HOMELESSNESS in York has fallen in the past year - but the reduction is significantly smaller than in the rest of the region.

The number of people accepted as homeless by the City of York Council fell from 460 in 2003/04 to 424 in 2004/05 - a fall of 7.8 per cent.

But the figure remains higher than the 409 cases in 2002/03, or 418 in 2001/02.

While the council has recognised fewer people as homeless, the number of people applying to be recognised as homeless rose from 1,438 to 1,489.

The news comes after new figures showed homelessness across Yorkshire and the Humber had fallen by nearly a third in the past year.

Statistics for the first three months of 2005 showed the number of cases in the region fell by 29 per cent, compared to the same period in 2004. From January to March last year 4,000 people became homeless, but this year the figure fell by 1,160 to 2,840. Nationally, there was a 20 per cent reduction in the same period.

The figures were welcomed by Government ministers, but the housing charity Shelter expressed reservations.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper hailed the reduction as a vindication of the Government's homelessness policies.

She said: "This is very welcome progress. It hasn't happened by accident. New local strategies and £200 million of investment nationally in preventing homelessness are making a real difference. Simple things like lending families the money for the rent deposit they need can stop them being stuck without a home." Under rent deposit schemes, local authorities help people pay the deposit at the start of their tenancy.

Shelter director Adam Sampson was cautious. He said: "While we welcome the renewed efforts to tackle homelessness, unfortunately we have to reserve applause until we can be sure that a fall in homelessness is coming about because those in need are being given better housing solutions."

Updated: 10:35 Wednesday, June 15, 2005