Homelessness (Hansard, 27 January 1994)

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes to tackle homelessness.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
In keeping with the policy framework set out in "Housing for Wales: An Agenda for Action" I have recently invited local authorities to bid against a £4 million reserve to complement their homelessness capital projects in 1994–95.
In addition the Welsh Office consultation paper of 20 January 1993, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies" has initiated discussion on the way local authorities should approach homelessness in the future.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to lessen reliance upon bed-and-breakfast accommodation where young families who are homeless are concerned; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The latest available figures are those for 30 September 1993. These show a significant reduction compared with September 1992 in the number of statutorily homeless families temporarily accommodated in bed and breakfast, from 331 to 176.