§ 14. Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes for rent were started by local authorities and housing associations in 1978-79; and what is his estimate for 1996-97. [4888]
§ Mr. CurryIn 1978-79 local authorities started about 62,000 homes for rent and housing associations started about 17,000. This year we estimate that about 49,000 social homes for rent or shared ownership will be started by housing associations, or released through home ownership grant schemes, and about 1,000 will be started by local authorities.
§ Mrs. PrenticeIn view of the statement earlier by the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) that only 27,000 homes will be started by housing associations in 1996-97 and the fact that under the last Labour Government 112,000 new homes, on average, were started each year, will the Minister tell us this Christmas time exactly how the Government intend to house the homeless?
§ Mr. CurryThe hon. Lady is confusing two points. With regard to the general provision of housing, what matters is that properties become available for new lettings. The only thing that concerns a family needing a home is whether a house is available and whether they will have a roof over their heads.
The housing associations are the main flag carriers of new social rented housing in this country. We also have an effective rough sleepers initiative to deal with the homelessness problem. The hon. Lady will know that we are developing that initiative and that we are consulting about how we should take it forward. It is operated by the Government and the housing charities in a unique display of very effective co-operation.