BOLTON’s homeless population has fallen rapidly in the past decade, new figures show.

In the 12 months until this April, 273 of the town’s residents were classed as homeless, compared with 743 nine years ago, according to government figures released this week.

All 273 people were helped into housing, Bolton Council said.

It means 2.3 out of every 1,000 people living in Bolton are registered homeless, compared with 3.9 in Rochdale.

Council bosses have welcomed the figures, but insisted there is still more work to be done to keep people off the streets and in their own homes in the wake of changes to benefits.

“We have a very active focus on preventing homelessness and the falling figures are a reflection of this,” said a Bolton Council spokesman.

“Our efforts are focussed on helping people to keep their accommodation and we closely monitor the potential impacts of welfare reform changes and the challenging ongoing economic climate.”

One of the biggest challenges town hall bosses face is helping people avoid a crisis before it happens.

One person with experience of the homeless system locally, said: “The figures show that the council has come on leaps and bounds in the past decade.

“There used to be a tendency to wait until people in need ended up pleading for help while stuck in temporary housing. Now they intervene before that.”

The figures show the council now helps 13.2 households per 1,000 who are at risk of becoming homeless, compared to the county average of 8.7.

The council spokesman added that staff try to stop rent and mortgage arrears cases ending up in court and help people into more suitable housing.

He added: “We have also helped people maintain accommodation, and negotiated with both private and public sector landlords to deal with rent arrear issues.”

The council’s housing representative, Cllr Kate Lewis, said: “The figures highlight how much hard work goes on in Bolton at the preventative stage, to ensure that people who are at risk of becoming homeless receive the advice and support they need to either stay in their home or find alternative accommodation.”