§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what new and additional finance he is making available to help(a) local authorities and (b) voluntary organisations to tackle the problem of homelessness in Wales generally and in Cardiff in particular;
(2) what new initiatives he is taking to tackle the problem of homelessness in Wales in general and Cardiff in particular.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettLocal authorities will soon be invited to bid against a capital reserve amounting to around £2.9 million for 1991–92. Cardiff will certainly wish to respond. The reserve is designed to complement authorities' own efforts in dealing with cases of homelessness, within the context of the approach to partnership with the housing association sector which is developing strongly in Wales. This is underpinned by our plans to increase the total housing association stock by over a third by 1993–94. The Department's close working contract with voluntary bodies concerned with homelessness will continue. Revenue funding for them has been increased by over 16 per cent. to £460,000 for 1991–2. For districts experiencing particular pressure this year, we intend to make available a further £2 million at least, in support of operationally effective scheme.