§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of individuals registered under the homeless persons legislation as being homeless in Northern Ireland for each year since 1979, inclusive with the percentage increase or decrease on the previous year; and if he will provide a breakdown by local authority.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe information requested is not available prior to April 1989 when the homelessness provisions of the Housing (NI) Order 1988 came into operation. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the sole public housing authority in Northern Ireland, and I am advised by its chairman that the number of applicants accepted as being either homeless or threatened with homelessness since 1 April 1989 and the percentage increase on the previous year is as follows: 559W
Year Number Difference 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 5,166 — 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991 7,219 +39.7 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992 7,494 +3.8
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the total expenditure and (b) the additional specific allocation for tackling homelessness which was provided in the latest financial year giving a breakdown by local authority.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the sole public sector housing authority in Northern Ireland. No resources are allocated to the executive specifically to tackle homelessness. However, its chairman has advised me that the executive spent £1.216 million on homelessness in 1991–92.