§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what funds are being made available through the Housing Corporation in 1992–93 to provide revenue funding for housing associations providing permanent housing for mentally ill homeless people ready to move out of specialist short-term hostels in central London;
(2) how many permanent places for mentally ill homeless people currently living in specialist short-term hostsels in central London will be provided by housing associations in 1992–93.
§ Mr. DorrellI have been asked to reply.
The Department revenue funds the specialist short-term hostels set up under the homeless mentally ill initiative at the rate of £14,630 per place per annum—1992–93 costs. Permanent accommodation for those moving on from the hostels is being provided via the Housing Corporation. In 1992–93 it expects to make available 150 new units and 150 units from housing association relets. The corporation monitor this provision regularly. The social care of people moving on from the short-term hostels is the responsibility of local social services authorities. To ensure that the transition takes place smoothly the Department has included within the homeless mentally ill initiative £500,000 per annum for the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95 to provide resettlement support.