Every pounds 1 for homeless saves our society pounds 4.

EVERY pounds 1 invested in services for homeless people saves taxpayers almost four times that amount, according to a report out today.

The national homelessness charity Crisis calculated every pounds 1 spent on its services saved society an average of pounds 3.92.

The independent economic forecasting consultancy Oxford Economics calculated the sum to coincide with the launch of the charity's fundraising project Urban Investors today.

People will be able to track the estimated social return on investment (SROI) from their donation, which is thought to be a UK first.

Oxford Economics projected the SROI of Crisis's education, training and employment centres by measuring the money they save the taxpayer by eliminating the costs to the NHS, benefits and justice systems which are associated with homelessness. Crisis hopes to fund five new Crisis Skylight centres across the UK through Urban Investors, offering education, training and employment.

It already has centres in London and Newcastle and plans to open another in Oxford.

Donors will get a report on the impact of their investment every six months.