§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the definition of very sheltered accommodation is; and how many very sheltered accommodation places there were in each year since 1996. [86292]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 9 December 2002 ]: The definition of very sheltered housing used by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for housing investment programme purposes is: Very sheltered housing covers schemes for frail older people that have more provision of a greater level of care than ordinary sheltered housing: for example; the provision of meals, extra wardens, care assistants and additional communal facilities such as special bathrooms and sluice rooms.
The number of very sheltered housing places between 1996 and 2000 is:
Number of places 1996 17,577 1997 18,041 1998 19,062 1999 19,577 2000 20,269 For 2001 and subsequently, figures will be available from "Supporting People" supply mapping.