Council officers are to buy 60 houses on the open market, to help families in south Oxfordshire who face home- lessness.

South Oxfordshire District Council is supporting action by local housing associations, which are looking at 30 houses.

And the council has committed £2m of social housing grant in 2001 for buying another 30 properties on the open market.

The purchases will help the council cut its rocketing bed and breakfast bill - and help cut the time homeless families have to stay in such accomm- odation.

Housing committee vice-chairman Stella Edwards said: "The quality of life for families in bed and breakfast is poor.

"But a shortage of suitable accommodation has meant we have had no choice but to use it.

"These new initiatives will provide much-needed homes for the homeless in south Oxfordshire."

The 60 homes will be in addition to social housing units within major developments all round the district.

South Oxfordshire District Council estimates that it needs around 4,000 affordable homes over the next five years, to cope with homelessness and families on the housing list.