HC Deb 21 June 1990 vol 174 cc635-6W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the number of people accepted as homeless by local authorities in England due to mortgage repossession for(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988, (d) 1989 and (e) 1990 (first quarter); for each English region and class of authority;

(2) if he will make a statement on the number of mortgage repossessions being made in Greater London and the effect on the use of expensive temporary accommodation by local authorities.

Mr. Michael Spicer

[holding answer 13 June 1990]: Local authorities report the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act where the main immediate reason for homelessness is mortgage arrears, but do not distinguish those who were actually subject to repossession. Estimates by class of authority are as follows:

London Authorities Other Metropolitan Authorities Non-Metropolitan Authorities All England
1986 630 3,100 6,340 10,070
1987 600 3,620 6,240 10,460
1988 540 3,320 4,480 8,340
1989 840 3,370 4,150 8,360
19901 350 1,140 1,600 3,090
1 First quarter.

Corresponding estimates by region are not readily available.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of mortgage repossessions being made in Greater London and the effect on the use of expensive temporary accommodation by local authorities.

Mr. Michael Spicer

[holding answer 13 June 1990]: Information is not available centrally on the number of dwellings in Greater London that have been taken into possession by mortgage lenders. According to local authority returns the proportion of households accepted as homeless as a direct consequence of mortgage arrears is only some 3 to 4 per cent. of all households accepted in London under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985. The effect on the use of temporary accommodation is therefore likely to be small.