§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to increase the number of homes for homeless single mothers. [61904]
§ Mr. McNultyUnder current legislation, local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation for people who are homeless through not fault of their own and who have a priority need for accommodation. The priority need categories include households with dependent children or a pregnant woman.
The Government are committed to ensuring homeless families are provided with decent housing. The supply of affordable housing has a vital role to play in increasing the homes available to house homeless single mothers. The Government have raised investment in affordable housing through the Housing Corporation to over £1.2 billion by 2003–04, almost double 2000–01 levels. In 2000–01, the Corporation approved schemes to the value of £4.5 million for vulnerable mothers with babies and £418 million for homeless people. In addition, where a single mother has a support need that makes it difficult to sustain a tenancy, the Supporting People programme, to be launched in April 2003, will help prevent tenancy breakdown.
In March this year the Government announced a new approach to tackling homelessness backed by £125 million. This includes ensuring that no homeless families with children have to live in bed-and-breakfast accommodation except in an emergency.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless shelters in major cities serve free meals. [61905]
§ Mr. McNultyInformation relating to the number of homeless shelters in major cities which serve free meals is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.