§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Welsh Office has undertaken in the past year to reduce homelessness in Wales. [55594]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesWe have made regulations giving local authorities powers to allocate permanent accommodation to homeless people; we have assisted various voluntary bodies concerned with preventing and alleviating homelessness and rough sleeping; we have seconded an officer from the voluntary sector to advise local authorities on measures to deal with rough sleeping.
Our other housing programmes are designed to increase the supply and quality of accommodation which will help reduce homelessness pressure.