A CHARITY and council chiefs have clashed over claims that homeless families are being rehoused ahead of Government targets.

Official figures show there are only two families living in guest houses in east Cleveland and they are due to be rehoused before the end of the month.

But an independent homeless group questioned the figures and said they should be taken with "a sack of salt".

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been working closely with housing associations to meet a Government target that demands local authorities restrict bed and breakfast stays to six weeks.

Councillor Chris Abbott, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood renewal, said: "We have worked closely with our partners to reduce the length of stay for our families and it is a credit to everyone involved that we have achieved the target."

The partnership includes Coast and Country, the organisation which manages the council's housing stock, a private sector leasing scheme and local housing associations.

The council says there is a detailed rehousing plan for each family staying at a bed and breakfast, which is monitored, reviewed and updated on a weekly basis by a homeless accommodation officer.

Endeavour Housing Association has 30 properties on a short-term basis with plans for more supported and self contained accommodation.

Ronny Harris, housing operations director with Coast and Country, said: "As the major social housing provider in the borough, Coast and Country were very pleased to work with the council to achieve the new Government target for homeless families.

"We will continue to work closely to improve waiting times and to provide quality accommodation for families. I don't know anyone who has met the targets as we have done.

"It has taken a big effort, pulling out all the stops but it has been well worth it and, at the end of the day, homeless families will benefit from it."

Francis Owens, spokesman for the independent Teesside Homeless Group, last night disputed the council's claims of a success story.

He insisted a distinction was being drawn between homeless families and homeless single people.

He said: "At this moment they may only have two homeless families in bed and breakfast accommodation.

"But we are making a lot of referrals to Middlesbrough, because, we are told, all the bed and breakfasts in Redcar are full and they have no room here.

"I take their figures with a sack of salt."