HC Deb 26 February 1975 vol 887 cc483-4
13. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how his review of homelessness is progressing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kaufman

There have been discussions between the Government Departments concerned, and a consultation paper will shortly be issued to the local authority associations and representative voluntary and professional organisations.

Mr. Lane

As there are at least 10 empty properties for every homeless family, does the Minister agree that no single action would do more to help the homeless than the quicker re-use of empty property? Even in advance of this consultation, will he give a vigorous new prod to local authorities, because they own a large proportion of the empty properties throughout the country?

Mr. Kaufman

It is both local authorities and others, and we wish to give a prod to all. I draw to the hon. Gentleman attention the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. Jeger) in which he announced possible measures for the future to enable empty private properties to be brought into social control in co-operation with local authorities or housing associations. That is one part of it, but local authorities must certainly make better use of their own properties.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Will the Minister initiate a crash house building programme to help simultaneously the homeless and the unemployed along the lines of President Roosevelt's New Deal, the NRA? Will my hon. Friend consider seriously a special subsidy above that contained in the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act for every new council house started within the next 12 months? Would not that have a dramatic effect on house building?

Mr. Kaufman

I share my hon. Friend's view that a great deal more needs to be done. The new subsidy provided in the Act which became law yesterday will be a major incentive, but I share my hon. Friend's view that further incentives will be necessary, and that is the purpose of the housing finance review upon which we are engaged.

Mr. Rossi

May I refer the Minister to the aspect of homelessness known as squatting? Is he aware of the growing concern among local authorities and the mounting public anger over the spectacle of families in dire housing need who for many years have been on council housing lists being pipped at the post often by families moving in from outside the district? Is the hon. Gentleman aware also of the great burden put upon ratepayers by the money which local authorities have to spend to make good those premises once the squatters have gone? Will he take steps to strengthen the powers of local authorities to deal with this growing problem?

Mr. Kaufman

It is certainly a serious problem, and it is one to which we are giving marked attention within the Department.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Is the Minister aware that some local authorities which wish to deal with the housing problem have trouble over the definition of "homelessness"? I understand from consultations with one of my authorities that although it wishes to purchase properties it has not been able to satisfy the Minister's Department in this respect. Is the definition of "homelessness" under consideration?

Mr. Kaufman

It is part of the review that is taking place.

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