§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the population in local authorities defined as rural were assessed as being in priority need for housing in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000 and (f) 2001. [16539]
§ Ms KeebleSummary information on activity under the statutory homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1996 is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need.
Local authorities also report the total number of households on their housing register/waiting lists (excluding existing tenants awaiting a transfer) as at 1 April on their annual Housing Investment Programme returns, and separately distinguish those deemed to be "in need".
These households, expressed as a percentage of all households in authorities categorised as either "mixed rural" or "deep rural", are as follows:
Households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need as a percentage of the total number of households: rural authorities in England. Financial year totals Year Percentage 1996–97 0.35 1997–98 0.33 1998–99 0.32 1999–2000 0.32 2000–01 0.37
All households on local authority housing registers and classified as "in need" as a percentage of the total number of households: rural authorities in England as at 1 April Year Percentage 1996 3.1 1997 2.9 1998 2.9 1999 3.0 2000 3.0 2001 3.8 Note:
Mid-year household population estimates for 2000 and 2001 are not yet available; the estimate of 1999 has been applied in these years.
Source:
DTLR P1(E) housing activity and HIP returns.
ONS mid-year estimates of household population
Local authorities have different practices for compiling and managing their housing register/waiting lists which 862W mean that comparisons between authorities can be misleading. Authorities' policies and practices may change, which can also affect comparisons over time.