§ 24. Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are currently homeless in Northern Ireland; and what action the Government are taking to provide accommodation for the homeless.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt is not possible to give a figure for the total number of homeless people in Northern Ireland at any specific point in time. However, I am advised by the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that at 5 March 1993 the number of households living in temporary accommodation secured for them under the homeless provisions of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 was 370.
The Housing Executive has statutory responsibility for dealing with homelessness, and arranges both temporary 363W and permanent accommmodation throughout Northern Ireland. Its housing selection scheme gives top priority particularly to families accepted as homeless. In addition, the Housing Executive and other local bodies provide extensive advice to those who are homeless, or are threatened with homelessness.