HC Deb 30 November 1995 vol 267 cc798-9W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of rural homelessness and the measures he will be introducing to tackle it. [2647]

Mr. Clappison

The data which my Department collects from local authorities about households accepted as statutorily homeless do not differentiate between households from rural and non-rural areas.

The Housing Corporation's approved development programme funds new social housing in rural and non-rural areas. In 1995–96, some 6 per cent. of the corporation's new development programme is providing social housing in rural areas—defined as settlements with a population of 3,000 or less.

My Department has commissioned research into the nature of demand for housing in rural areas. The results are expected in 1996.