§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the 600 homeless single persons in reception centres on the night of 21 June who fell 167W within section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977, were women; and if be will state their ages and disability.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe figure of 600 includes 24 women who, if discharged from the reception centres, might have been regarded as in priority need as defined in section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977. Of these, one was pregnant and the others were considered by the lay staff of the centres to be vulnerable because of their apparent mental and physical condition. Their ages were as follows:
- 17–24, 2
- 25–34, 6
- 35–44,7
- 45–54, 3
- 55–59, 2
- 60 and over, 4
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds for single homeless women are provided by the voluntary sector.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department does not collect information about accommodation but for some of the information he is seeking I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of 24 October about caring services and facilities for the homeless.—[Vol. 972, c.213–4.]
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost in the last year for which figures are available of meeting the rent of those homeless single people staying in private hostels, lodging homes, hotels and so on; what was the number of individuals so housed; if there is a list of approved private hostels, lodging houses and similar establishments and so on; and if so, if he will place a copy of the list in the Library.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information requested is not available. There is no list of approved private hostels, lodging houses and so on.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many single homeless people are on Merseyside; what are the numbers of (a) reception centres, (b) resettlement units, (c) hostels, (d) lodging houses and (e) hotels and so on; catering for them on a temporary basis; how many beds are in each; and how 168W many individuals by sex there are in each facility, in each case for the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mrs. ChalkerOn Merseyside the Supplementary Benefits Commission administers on my right hon. Friend's behalf one reception centre of 61 beds for single homeless men without a settled way of living; 1,719 persons were admitted in the 12 months ended 30 November 1979. The Supplementary Benefits Commission does not administer any resettlement units in the area. The other information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the number of day case centres for the single homeless is; and what financial support is given to them by his Department.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department does not maintain such a list. I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 24 October.—[Vol. 972, c.213–4.]
The Department does not normally fund local projects. Local authorities have the power to do so under section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, and the Department will contribute only exceptionally, and for a limited period, where a project is judged to be innovatory or experimental. Since 1978–79 it has been contributing on that basis to the running costs of the Coventry day centre, at a rate of £20,000 per annum, and made a capital grant of £11,000. The support will continue for a maximum of three years, after which decisions on funding will fall on the local authority.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many single homeless persons by sex were received into the Fazakerley reception centre and resettlement unit in the last year for which figures are available; how many of these fell within priority need, as defined in section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977; how many of the latter were rehoused by local housing authorities, listing the housing authorities and the number each housed; and if any Merseyside local housing authorities refused to take single homeless persons from the centre-unit.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerIn the 12 months ended 30 November 1979, 1,719 men were admitted to Fazakerley reception centre. No estimate can be made of the number of those who, on leaving the centre might have fallen within priority need as defined in section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977. However, in the period, 12 men left the centre to go direct into accommodation provided by the Liverpool city council. No Merseyside local housing authority has refused to take a man from the centre when asked to do so. Women are not accommodated at this centre.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to ensure that those homeless single people who fall within section 2 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and are currently in reception centres and resettlement units actually obtain permanent council accommodation.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier related question on 29 October 1979.—[Vol. 972, c.445.] My right hon. Friend, on whose behalf the Supplementary Benefits Commission administers reception centres—including resettlement units—similarly has no responsibility for finding permanent accommodation for people temporarily accommodated in such centres. But in appropriate cases the staff do what they can to help.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his policy towards the single homeless and indicate what steps he proposes to take to deal with the problem.
§ Sir George YoungMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is responsible for the social and health needs of the single homeless but their housing needs are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Their joint policy is to encourage co-operation at local level between social services, housing and health authorities and other agencies concerned and particularly voluntary organisations. To the extent that available resources and competing priorities permit, social services and health authorities may meet the social and health needs of single homeless people through170W their main programmes, enhanced, where appropriate, but the urban and joint financing programmes, and health and local authorities have powers to assist voluntary organisations. The Department is also prepared to make grants towards the headquarters costs of certain national voluntary organisations concerned and to encourage experimentation and research, and is taking part in the LBA/GLC working party on provision in London for people without a settled way of living.