Homelessness up 44% in a decade

THE number of homeless people in France has risen by 44 per cent in 11 years, and the total now includes 31,000 children, official new stats have revealed.

The Insee report, published today, estimates France's homeless population at 112,000 - but the actual figure is likely to be higher as the research covers main towns and cities and does not extend to the most rural parts of France.

Almost half of those without a fixed address are in the Paris region, and 55 per cent of homeless people are not French, with the majority of these coming from Africa.

According to Insee, only one in 10 SDFs (sans domicile fixe) sleeps rough, with the rest relying on charitable associations for shelter.

The winter food campaign organised by the Restos du Coeur gets under way next Monday and runs until March.

Last year, 130 million free meals were distributed to those in need and a million people used one of the charity's shelters.