§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to combat the rise in homelessness and bad housing conditions; and if he will make a statement on the recent launch of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless 1987.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1987]: Action on these matters is primarily for local authorities.
We are constantly looking at ways of preventing and relieving homelessness. Recent measures include the extra money being put in through housing associations (the Housing Corporation has received an extra £20 million in 1987–88, expected to attract a further £40–45 million private capital) and through our estate action initiative (£l.26 million already allocated this year, with more schemes in the pipeline, specifically for homelessness initiatives on housing estates). Many of the authorities approached are now responding positively to the latter despite a disappointing response from some London boroughs. However, some are still not doing so. Further information was given in my hon. Friend's reply to two debates on 19 December, at columns 1497–1501 and 1536–38.
We have increased the resources available to authorities for investment in housing in 1987–88 by 15 per cent. over 1986–87 plans. And we expect authorities to give the highest priority to renovation of their own stock, too much of which is still lying empty (113,300 dwellings at 1 April 1986). Authorities have a wide range of powers for dealing with poor housing conditions in the private sector both by renovation and by clearance. They will spend more than £500 million on these activities in the private sector this year.
On the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 December to the hon. Members for Leeds, West (Mr. Meadowcroft) and Knowsley, South (Mr. Hughes).
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on alleviating homelessness in the light of Professor John Grieve's recent report on homelessness in Greater London, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what is his estimate of the comparative public sector costs of housing homeless families in London by (i) providing them with newly built council dwellings, (ii) providing them with dwellings acquired from the private sector and improved for letting and (iii) providing them with bed and breakfast accommodation.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 12 January 1987]: Prevention of homelessness is a major concern. The reasons why people become homeless vary greatly: for example, changes in family structure, children leaving home earlier, marital disputes and increasing divorce rates. But better understanding of and early advice with family and financial problems can help positively. We also need to make much better use of the housing available. Far too many homes stand empty today in both the public and the private sector.
Once families are accepted as homeless, we advise local authorities to find them permanent accommodation as soon as possible. Sometimes this will be a council house or flat which, if newly built or acquired in Greater 332W London, cost authorities around £7,000 and £5,500 respectively in the first year. This comprises interest on capital, management and maintenance. Sometimes the family will find accommodation in housing association property or elsewhere in the private sector either as tenants or as home owners.
It can be difficult to arrange accommodation at short notice where required by the homelessness legislation without using some form of temporary accommodation, especially where further inquiries are being made and a family has not yet been accepted as homeless. Some London authorities are having to make use of bed-and-breakfast hotels which cost an average of some £30 per household day. Purpose-built or adapted hostels or short life property can provide a much cheaper and a better alternative. We have made it clear to authorities that we are prepared to approve suitable proposals to acquire properties for use as hostels and, though some of the authorities approached are still refusing to bid for these resources, we have launched our estate action initiative to bring empty council dwellings into use for the homeless. The Government are funding a new Housing Corporation programme next year specifically designed to provide better interim accommodation for homeless families. The money for this programme will come from an extra £20 million for the Housing Corporation, which will be complemented by £40 to £45 million of private capital. We have also taken measures recently to stimulate the private rented sector to provide more accommodation and fill empty flats and houses, including an extension of the assured tenancy scheme.