§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he gives to local authorities on the definition of intentionally homeless.
§ Mr. YeoSection 71 of the Housing Act 1985 provides for the Secretary of State to issue guidance to local authorities on how to apply the homelessness legislation. Local authorities must have regard to this guidance when dealing with homeless applicants. A revised code of guidance—third edition—is currently in preparation, following extensive consultation, and will be issued shortly. The code contains advice on how local authorities should assess whether an applicant has become homeless 387W intentionally, although this decision will be a matter for the authority's own discretion on the facts of each individual case.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing legislation to place a duty on local authorities to provide accommodation for all 16 to 18-year-olds who are homeless.
§ Mr. YeoThe Government's 1989 homelessness review concluded that the homelessness legislation provided an adequate safety net to those in greatest need who were homeless through no fault of their own. The homelessness code of guidance contains advice on how local authorities should assess applications from young people who apply as homeless, although this will be a matter for the local authority's discretion on the facts of each individual case.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities in England and Wales which provide rented accommodation for single, homeless people.
§ Mr. YeoLocal authorities that retain housing for rent provide accommodation for homeless households when the need arises. However the information available to my Department does not separately identify accommodation let to single people.
For information about Wales I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.