Homelessness

HC Deb 24 January 1990 vol 165 cc738-9W

21. Mr. French

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any further proposals to tackle homelessness.

Mr. Chris Patten

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Orme).

120. Mr. Robert G. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to alleviate homelessness in London and the south-east.

Mr. Chope

Following publication of our review of the homelessness legislation we have made £250 million of extra resources available over the next two years for schemes to tackle homelessness in London and the south-east. My Department has written to all housing associations and local authorities in London and the south-east inviting them to submit schemes to use this money. We want in the first instance to reduce the number of homeless families councils place in bed and breakfast accommodation. We have asked councils and associations to respond quickly.

113. Mrs. Maureen Hicks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional resources he will provide to the Housing Corporation in 1991 to alleviate homelessness.

Mr. Chope

On 20 December my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) announced significant increases in the Housing Corporation's approved development programme. At £1,220.5 million, gross provision in 1990–91 will be nearly 50 per cent. higher than this year's allocation and will rise even further to £1,563 million in 1991–92. These additional resources will be allocated by the Housing Corporation to those areas and individuals in greatest housing need, including, of course, the statutorily homeless.

Included within these figures are allocations of £36 million in 1990–91 and £37 million in 1991–92 which form part of the Government's special homelessness programme announced in November last year. These resources will be used to finance projects in the pressure areas of London and the south-east aimed at making available, quickly, accommodation for the statutorily homeless.

100. Mr. Sedgemore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his response to the Association of London Authorities' proposals for alleviating acute homelessness.

Mr. Chope

My right hon. Friend has written to the association, urging it to encourage member authorities to submit bids for a share of the additional £250 million we are making available specifically to reduce homelessness in London and the south-east.