§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the primary reasons were for families becoming homeless within Merseyside in each year since 1993; [98601]
(2) what the primary reasons were for homelessness on Merseyside in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by gender. [98598]
§ Mr. MullinData are reported to the Department each quarter by local authorities on their activity under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing 35W Acts. These identify the main reasons for loss of last settled home of homeless households accepted by local authorities as in priority need. Further classification by
Homeless households in Merseyside authorities: reasons for loss of last settled home 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Relatives/Friends no longer able or willing to accommodate Parents 1,285 895 621 483 336 347 Friends 284 440 293 228 195 173 Breakdown of relationship Violent 476 786 482 410 390 395 Non-violent 166 170 171 158 120 86 Arrears of Mortgage 203 198 189 177 127 141 Rent 37 28 43 27 26 57 End of assured shorthold tenancy 204 246 320 289 253 230 Loss of other rented/tied housing 187 233 242 184 339 286 Institution or care 160 174 130 143 95 83 Other reasons 589 435 435 484 212 197 Total households accepted 3,591 3,305 2,926 2,583 2,093 1,995 Note:
Prior to 1997, reported figures include a small number of households not in priority need.