§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people on housing benefit were(a) re-housed by local authorities following eviction by private landlords and (b) moved to a lower category of accommodation by local authorities because of rent arrears, in the last 12 months. [2868]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe data provided by local authorities on homelessness acceptances include information on the main reason for the homeless households' loss of last settled home.
There were some 1,150 households for which local authorities in England accepted responsibility to secure accommodation, under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act, as a result of private sector rent arrears, in the 12 months ending June 1995. It is not known how many of these households were in receipt of housing benefit.
Information is not available in the Department on the numbers of people on housing benefit who were moved to a lower category of accommodation by local authorities because of rent arrears.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve housing facilities for homeless people. [2869]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe latest homelessness statistics collected by my Department from English local authorities show that the number of households in temporary accommodation has been declining since September 1992. The "Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities", to which authorities must by law have regard, makes clear that all temporary accommodation must meet acceptable standards.
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