Hundreds of families live in bed and breakfast accommodation in Brighton and Hove.

Yet a modern block of flats has been boarded up and empty for six months. More than 200 other council homes also stand empty.

Homelessness is one of the city's major issues and something that needs tackling.

At the last count, 329 families were living in temporary bed and breakfast housing.

This puts a huge strain on the city council's finances and resources.

But the number of empty homes is also a problem.

They can be targeted by vandals or squatters causing damage which would have to be funded by taxpayers.

Councillors insist a new contractor is speeding up the allocation of accommodation.

And it would be naive to expect everyone waiting for a council house to be homed immediately.

But moving people from inadequate bed and breakfast accommodation into proper homes must be a real priority.

It will not only help ease the council's financial burden but will go towards creating settled, happier communities.