§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reallocate the present distribution of funds for new house construction, so that those authorities facing the greatest demand from the homeless are given a fairer share of the resources available.
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§ Mr. FreesonUnder the HIP system the incidence of homelessness, along with other indicators of housing need, is taken into account when determining annual capital expenditure allocations to local authorities, so as to direct resources fairly and where needs are greatest. The allocations are given for three spending blocks rather than for individual programmes such as new house building, and the system provides flexibility for authorities to adjust the pattern of spending between individual programmes.
If in fact any authority needs a larger allocation specifically to provide additional dwellings for the homeless, it should contact its regional office quickly.