NEW plans aimed at tackling homelessness in Malvern Hills have been given the green light.

Malvern Hills District Council's first Homelessness and Strategy Review, which has been months in the making, will try and broker a better deal for the 300 families who lose their homes in the area every year.

It will also be used to deal with fears about an increase in homelessness in the district due to spiralling house prices, coupled with a shortage of new affordable homes.

It follows an article in the Evening News earlier this month revealing that Malvern Hills is one of the least affordable areas for young homebuyers in the West Midlands to live.

The report puts forward 75 targets to be tackled jointly by the district council over the next five years in conjunction with several other bodies including the police and district charities.

These include stopping the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families and pregnant teenagers by March 2004, in favour of more user-friendly accommodation.

Key areas where there are gaps in provision for those in danger of losing their homes - such as a lack of accommodation for people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse - are also identified.

The report was given the go-ahead at a meeting of the district council's executive committee.

"This is a ground-breaking document which officially sets out the concept that homelessness is wrong because it excludes people from the mainstream of society," said Councillor Graham Myatt, holder of the council's housing portfolio.

"Everyone appreciates that one of the most traumatic events in life faced by individuals and their families is the loss or threatened loss of their home, yet it happens to more than 300 households in the district every year.

"That is wrong and we intend to do everything we can to stop it."

The strategy is now due to be forwarded at the end of this month to the office of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, for his final approval.