§ 34. Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any new proposals to deal with the shortage of hostel bed spaces for homeless people in major cities.
§ Sir George YoungOf the latest figures available, housing associations provide a total of 50,000 hostel bed spaces in England, of which some 20,000 are in London. The Government have allocated £96 million over three years to provide additional hostel and longer-term accommodation for single homeless people in London. We are considering how this programme might be extended to other major cities in the future.
§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Government's initiative on homelessness.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to the reply of 22 January 1991, Official Report, column 155]: I have today approved additional allocations totalling £115 million to 106 authorities in London and the south-east. The schemes should provide more than 6,000 extra lettings for the homeless, reducing the need to use temporary bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Priority has been given to bringing empty properties back into use and cash incentive schemes. Today's announcement brings the total allocated to local authorities under the two year initiative to £227 million. Full details of individual allocations to local authorities are set out in a press release which has been placed in the Library.