§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consultation was undertaken with local authorities before the homeless mentally ill initiative was launched; what responsibilities local authorities have had in each year of the initiative for finding revenue support for the projects located in their areas; what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment on this subject; and if she will make a statement;
(2) how many schemes under the homeless mentally ill initiative in London have required Department of Health funding for care support; if she will list each scheme, showing the original date of application, the amount of Housing Corporation grant approved, the number of bed spaces and her Department's decision on funding in each case; and if she will make a statement;
(3) if she will make a statement on the progress of the homeless mentally ill initiative to provide housing and care support for homeless mentally ill persons in London.
§ Mr. BowisFive hostels offering temporary accommodation for homeless mentally ill people have been opened under the homeless mentally ill initiative—HMI. A further five are planned. All capital costs are being met by the Department of Health, as are the revenue costs, averaging £15,000 per bed space. No capital has been provided by the Housing Corporation for these hostels. There are plans to provide permanent accommodation for those currently in the hostels so that they can move on once they are ready to do so. The capital costs of this will be funded by the Housing Corporation. The table shows the hostels opened or planned and gives the number of spaces provided and the date of application.
Hostel Bedspaces Date of Application Varden street, E11 11 28 August 1990 Argyle Walk, WC11 12 16 September 1990 Shirland Road, W91 18 18 March 1991 Elgin Avenue, W9 9 18 March 1991 Aberdour Street, SE11 10 7 December 1990 Galleywall Road, SE151 10 8 February 1991 Lambeth High Street, SE1 24 13 November 1992 Challinor Street, W14 20 3 December 1993 Grays Inn Road, WC1 14 2 August 1993 Marsh Hill, E9 16 22 September 1993 1 Already open Ministers in all relevant Departments, including the Department of the Environment, were closely involved in discussions during the development of the HMI and meetings were held with all statutory authorities at that crucial state. Officials at the Department of Health continue to collaborate with local authorities, in view of their duties and responsibilities arising from the National Assistance Act 1948, and they also liaise closely with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, the Housing Corporation and the regional health authorities involved in the HMI.
By 1994–95, over £20 million will have been spent in offering accommodation and psychiatric care to mentally ill people sleeping rough on the streets of London under the HMI. In addition to the provision of short-stay hostels, we have set up five multi-disciplinary community psychiatric teams who have made contact with people who many had written off as being beyond help. The initiative has raised the profile of homeless mentally ill people and, together 1003W with the Department of the Environment's rough sleepers initiative, has been instrumental in reducing numbers sleeping on the streets.