§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase his Department's support to voluntary organisations which assist homeless people. [2870]
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§ Mr. ClappisonThe Housing White Paper "Our Future Homes", issued on 27 June 1995, undertook to continue the Government's rough sleepers initiative—RSI—in central London beyond March 1996, and to assist the development of the successful RSI model in other areas where rough sleeping could be demonstrated to be a major problem. Over the next three years—1996–97 to 1998–99—my Department plans to make available an additional £50 million to meet these commitments. Following analysis of the responses to a consultation paper issued on 3 October 1995, we will be issuing a strategy paper in the new year inviting bids for these resources.
My Department also provides grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to voluntary sector organisations to provide practical help for single people in housing need. Planned provision for this programme is an increase from £6.9 million in 1995–96 to £7.8 million in 1996–97.