§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken, and by whom, to prevent the increase of hardship to single homeless women.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)Local authorities have a duty under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 to secure accommodation for homeless people in the priority need categories, which will include some single women (such as those who are elderly, disabled, pregnant or vulnerable for some other reason), and to give advice and assistance to other homeless people. Homeless single women may also benefit from a number of specific central government measures, such as hostels provided under the Government's hostels initiative; provision of bed spaces in DHSS resettlement units; grant aid under Section 13 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977, Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, or Schedule 5 to the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 to voluntary bodies concerned with homelessness and steps to encourage lettings in the private rented sector and to make it easier for local authority tenants to sublet and take in lodgers.
The Government are currently considering within the existing financial constraints, various possible measures which might help to relieve homelessness. The current review of resettlement provision will examine whether there is a need for further such provision for single homeless women. Supplementary benefit is of course available to single homeless people 98WA to the extent that their requirements exceed their resources.