EMPTY PROPERTY: USE FOR THE HOMELESS

HL Deb 29 April 1985 vol 463 cc110-1WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will send a circular of guidance to housing authorities and other statutory authorities owning houses on the urgent need to use empty property for the benefit of homeless people and families whether by direct licensing or by short-life agreements with housing associations and other voluntary bodies.

Lord Skelmersdale

The Department of the Environment will shortly issue a circular to local authorities containing guidance on these matters. The Housing Corporation has already doubled its allocation of resources in the current year to the funding of short-life schemes.