Homeless Persons (Hansard, 24 May 1984)

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government have now reached a conclusion about the detailed arrangements for the support of organisations providing accommodation for single homeless persons in London boroughs if the Greater London council is abolished; and what role is envisaged for the Housing Corporation in the financing of housing associations providing accommodation for such persons.

§ Sir George Young
As my right hon. Friend announced on 11 April at columns406–7 we intend to provide in the abolition legislation to be introduced in the 1984–85 Session for a statutory basis for collective funding of voluntary bodies by all London boroughs. No detailed decisions have been taken beyond those outlined by my right hon. Friend. The Housing Corporation will, as now, be able to fund housing associations providing accommodation for the single homeless.

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that existing statutory arrangements and capital allocations are sufficient to enable boroughs, either directly or via the voluntary organisations or housing associations, to accommodate single homeless persons in accommodation in another authority's area.

§ Sir George Young
Existing powers enable boroughs to co-operate with one another in the provision or allocation of accommodation for the single homeless, and they may involve voluntary organisations or housing associations if they wish.

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether London boroughs with large numbers of single homeless will, under his proposed new arrangements (a) be able to accommodate at least an equal number of those they do at present and (b) not incur costs in excess of what they pay under the present Greater London council-wide arrangement.

§ Sir George Young
Boroughs will, as now, have discretion as to how much accommodation to provide for the single homeless within total capital resources. Housing costs will as now be eligible within the rules for housing subsidy and housing association grant. Voluntary bodies providing accommodation will become eligible for collective funding by all London boroughs Under the arrangements outlined by my right hon. Friend on 11 April at columns406–7.