§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on demand for housing as a result of the expected increase in the number of single parent families in the South-east; and what steps he is taking to help ensure this demand is met. [116752]
§ Mr. MullinThe latest household projections indicate that around 2 per cent. of the net increase in the number of households likely to form in the South-east between 1996 and 2021 will be lone parent households. PPG3 encourages local authorities and housebuilders to ensure that the additional dwellings to be provided in the region offer greater choice and affordability for all households.
§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient affordable housing is available to meet the demand in the South East. [116753]
§ Mr. MullinDraft Regional Planning Guidance 9 (Proposed Changes) sets out a new approach to meeting housing needs in the South East. It emphasises the need for local authorities to undertake rigorous assessments of housing need to ensure that sufficient affordable homes are provided. Housing capital allocations to local authorities in the South East for 2000–01 total £187 million, over £50 million up on 1999–2000 and these increased resources will allow authorities to support the provision of more new affordable housing where this is a local priority. This is in addition to the resources for new affordable housing provided directly to registered social landlords by the Housing Corporation (£70 million in 2000–01).