HC Deb 09 May 1995 vol 259 cc431-3W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the current cost of bed-and-breakfast accommodation to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for a family of two parents and seven children at 237 Kilkeel road, Annalong; and if he will give the equivalent full entitlement to a housing benefit for a similar family in four-bedroomed accommodation. [22355]

Mr. Moss

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I have asked the chairman to write with the details requested.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals or families are currently in bed-and-breakfast or similar accommodation at the expense of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in each region, pending rehousing from the homeless, or A1 housing waiting lists. [22356]

Mr. Moss

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; The chief executive has advised me that at 1 May 1995 the numbers with homeless or AI status in temporary accommodation are as follows:

Region Bed/breakfast accommodation NIHE hostel
Belfast 67 60
North East 25 10
South East 34 33
South 7 Nil
West 92 30
Total 225 133

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of bed-and-breakfast or similar accommodation to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in each region in each of the past three quarters, for the placement in temporary accommodation of homeless or Al category families or individuals. [22357]

Mr. Moss

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but the chief executive has advised me that the information requested is not readily available for the last three quarters. However, for the year 1994–95, the total costs of temporary accommodation for households accepted as homeless and awarded 'A1' waiting list priority, households where investigations are not yet completed and households where an appeal against a homelessness decision is pending, are as follows:

Region Bed/breakfast accommodation £ NIHE hostel £
Belfast 487,002.95 380,393
North East 192,242.04 53,870
South East 278,827.73 147,398
South 102,572.56 19,762
West 825,262.69 97,392
Total 1,885,907.97 698,815

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average weekly cost to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in each region for housing homeless or Al category families or individuals in temporary accommodation for(a) a single individual with no dependants, (b) a couple with no dependants, (c) a couple with two children and (d) a couple with four children; and if he will give equivalent entitlements to full housing benefit for suitable accommodation. [22358]

Mr. Moss

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that the information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.