§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the implementation of the initiative announced in July 1990 for tackling the problem of the homeless mentally ill in London; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoConsiderable progress has been made. Four short term hostels have been opened and two more will open during 1993, providing 73 places in all. A further 77 hostel places are planned for the next phase of the initiative.
Five community psychiatric teams have been established. The work of the teams and client outcomes are being evaluated independently. The indications are that the teams have been effective in making contact with severely damaged individuals who have had little or no previous contact with psychiatric services. Numbers of contacts to date are estimated at 1,700.
The Housing Corporation has undertaken to secure up to 750 move on places for mentally ill people in re-lets of existing housing association stock and new-build, ranging from independent single units to more supported shared accommodation.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest estimates for the number of homeless mentally ill who are sleeping rough in(a) London, (b) Birmingham, (c) Manchester, (d) Leeds and (e) Bristol.
§ Mr. YeoIt is difficult to obtain accurate data on homeless people. On the 1991 census night the following numbers of people were found to be sleeping in the open air on sites previously identified by local statutory and voluntary organisations.
Numbers (a) Greater London 1,275 (b) Birmingham 1— (c) Manchester 23 (d) Leeds 21 (e) Bristol 128 1 Not available. We estimate that at least 30 per cent., and possibly up to 50 per cent., of homeless people living rough on the streets have a mental health problem.