§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many households have been accepted as homeless by local authorities in rural areas in Scotland in each year since 1979; [18673]
(2) how many households have been accepted as homeless by local authorities in Scotland in each year since 1979. [18674]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe information available centrally is set out in the table.
Number of households assessed as homeless or potentially homeless by local authorities following application under the current housing legislation, for whom accommodation has subsequently been secured All Scotland Rural authorities 1978–79 9,078 1,987 1979–80 8,495 1,683 1980–81 7,929 1,488 1981–82 8,877 1,767 1982–83 9,127 1,754 1983–84 8,888 1,859 1984–85 10,469 1,910 1985–86 12,546 2,000 1986–87 12,860 2,192 1987–88 11,723 2,372 1988–89 12,201 2,555 1989–90 14,303 2,892 1990–91 16,875 3,318 1991–92 19,174 3,822 1992–93 20,943 4,573 1993–94 19,892 4,180 1994–95 18,440 4,125 1. The information above is based on case returns by local authorities which are available for around 95 per cent. of applications (though the proportion varies between local authorities). Accordingly the figures given understate the true position. 2. Districts with a population density of less than one person per hectare in 1981 are considered to be rural. 3. Statistics for 1995–96 will be published on 27 March 1997 in a statistical bulletin.