§ 17. Mike GapesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policies are for tackling homelessness. [86335]
§ Mrs. RocheThe March 2002 report, "More than a Roof", sets out our new approach to tackling homelessness. This includes stronger homelessness legislation, £125 million investment this year, and action to sustain reductions in rough sleeping and to ensure that homeless families with children are not forced to live in B&B hotels.
"More than a roof' and the Government's response to it set out a challenging new approach to tackling homelessness. One that focuses as much on the problems homeless people face as the places they live.
862WSpecific measures include:
£125 million investment to tackle homelessness (2002–03);a commitment that by March 2004 local authorities will ensure that no homeless family with children has to live in a B&B hotel, except in an emergency—and in these cases use should not be for longer than 6 weeks;changes to housing benefit rules worth around £10 million, to boost incentives for private sector leasing by local authorities. This change increases the housing benefit subsidy levels for self-contained private sector leasing which makes it more financially viable, especially when compared to B&B subsidy rates.