A new housing campaign is calling on homeowners to provide shelter to families most at risk of ending up without a roof over their head.

FairBnB, launched last week and modelled on travel accommodation website AirBnB, aims to prevent homelessness by matching spare rooms with people who need places to stay.

The strategy was one of the flagship policies proposed Opportunity and Fairness Commission, set up by Croydon Council last year.

FairBnB hopes to recruit 10 homeowners by the end of September. They will be paid £15 to £25 a night depending on the size of the room, with a maximum stay of up to eight weeks.

Those needing shelter will be screened to ensure they pose no risk to their hosts.

Cllr Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes, said the council-funded initiative as “exactly the kind of innovative idea we need”.

To offer a room call 0800 612 2182 or email contact@fairbnb.org.uk.