HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc807-9W
Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific legislative powers currently exist for the provision of revenue grant aid to voluntary organisations providing emergency accommodation for the single homeless in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

Mrs. Roe

Section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 empowers my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales to give revenue deficit grants to voluntary organisations concerned with homelessness. These powers are also available to local authorities in England and Wales. In Scotland, section 39 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 gives similar powers to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and to Scottish local authorities. A revenue deficit grant, paid under section 55 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 may be paid to housing associations in Great Britain, registered with the Housing Corporation, which are managing hostels, including any providing emergency accommodation for the homeless. In the 57 eligible authorities in England, urban programme grants, paid under the Local Government Grants (Social Need) Act 1969, may be used to provide short-term revenue support for voluntary organisations carrying out projects for the single homeless. These powers may also be used to provide assistance in Scotland and Wales. In Wales, the Secretary of State is empowered under section 28(b) of the National Health Service Act 1977 as amended by section 1 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 to give grant aid to voluntary organisations providing emergency accommodation for single homeless persons who are elderly.

Under schedule 5 to the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services may make contributions to the funds of voluntary organisations providing temporary board and lodging for people without a settled way of life in Great Britain. He also has powers under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 which would enable him to make such grants.

By virtue of article 71 of the Health and Personal Services (NI) Order 1972, the Department of Health and Social Services and the four health and social service boards may make grants, including revenue grants, to voluntary organisations providing emergency accommodation for the single homeless in Northern Ireland. Article 140 of the Housing (NI) Order 1981 enables a revenue deficit grant to be paid to registered housing associations managing hostels for the homeless in Northern Ireland.