COUNCIL chiefs believe the number of homeless families forced to live in B&Bs in Sandwell will be zero by April. The halt is a major step after numbers peaked at 126 households in emergency accommodation – 73 of which were in guesthouses – 18 months ago. Cllr Keith Allcock, cabinet member for homes, said Sandwell’s success was due to the council intervening at an early stage to prevent families ending up on the streets. “Our Housing Solutions Service has been working hard to support people who are at risk of or already homeless,” he said. He added: “The service has been prioritising the prevention of homelessness and to work with people facing homelessness as soon as possible to try and help them remain in their current home.”