§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the homeless in London; and what plans he has to alleviate it.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 24 November 1989]: Latest estimates of households accepted as homeless in London appear in table 1(a) of "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the second quarter of 1989. Supplementary Tables", which is in the Library.
The Government's plans were announced on 15 November. In particular, local authorities in London have been invited to submit bids for a share of the £177 million extra funds available to local authorities over the next two years for projects designed to move homeless families out of bed and breakfast accommodation. In addition, we have doubled the funds for Housing Corporation, in the next three years; and trebled the resources available for advice and other services for the homeless through the voluntary sector.