Homelessness (Hansard, 2 November 1989)

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of young people under 18 years of age who are currently homeless; and how these estimates have changed over the last three years.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
The Scottish Development Department does not make such estimates, and the information is not available in that form.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new initiatives he will take to reduce the present level of homelessness in young people under 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
The Government's continuing concern with the problem of homelessness in298W relation to young people has been demonstrated by the various initiatives taken to ensure that housing needs in Scotland are more closely matched by housing availability. In particular, the Government have pursued policies to introduce more choice in the housing market, including the revival of the private rented sector and the expansion of the housing association sector, both of which will benefit young people.
The Government are committed to maintaining an effective legislative framework for dealing with homelessness. Section 25 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 makes it clear that homeless families with dependent children have a priority need for accommodation. It is for local authorities to deal with cases of homelessness and the Scottish Development Department has emphasised to them in its code of guidance on the exercise of their homelessness functions that homeless young people who are at risk of sexual or financial exploitation should also have a priority need.
We have also been concerned to ensure that local authorities and other bodies which deal with homelessness are adequately resourced. We have provided grant aid lo voluntary bodies such as the Scottish Council for the Single Homeless which are particularly concerned with homeless young people. Local authorities have been encouraged to take additional measures to deal with homelessness, including the adoption of cash incentive schemes to encourage their tenants to move into the private sector, thus releasing houses for homeless families.
The Government will continue to monitor the problems of homelessness and will bring forward new initiatives when appropriate.