§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what incentives he will give local authorities to bring empty council stock back into use and to work in partnership with housing associations and voluntary organisations seeking to provide accommodation for the homeless.
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§ Mr. YeoWe have made a special allocation of £300 million over this year and next to local authorities and housing associations in London and the south-east to provide housing for homeless families, in addition to the resources available under the housing investment programme system. A substantial proportion of the special allocation will be used to bring empty property in both sectors back into use. In addition, a further £96 million will be spent over this year and the next two years; mainly through local authorities, in providing hostel and long-term accommodation for single homeless people in central London; I very much hope that all London boroughs will co-operate positively in making these schemes work, as some have already done.