§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a permanent helpline to his Department to give advice to homeless people sleeping on the streets.
§ Mr. YeoMy Department provides £2 million this year and £4.5 million next year to voluntary organisations providing advice and practical help to homeless people. A substantial proportion is targeted on rough sleepers. Among the projects receiving grant aid is a 24-hour telephone housing advice service in London.
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§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice his Department is giving when contacted by homeless people sleeping rough or their representatives on the availability of emergency shelter;
(2) what information is made available to people sleeping rough about the locations of emergency shelters; and where it is available.
§ Mr. YeoThose seeking advice are referred to the help lines being run by the Piccadilly advice centre and the housing advice switchboard. These organisations have information on the availability of accommodation in emergency shelters and other hostels, as do the Metropolitan police and the voluntary organisations working with single homeless people.