§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) central and (b) local government regulations and policy governs whether families should be housed (i) in high-rise housing accommodation and (ii) on floors higher than the second floor of an apartment block. [154193]
§ Keith HillThe allocation legislation requires that housing authorities ensure that reasonable preference for an allocation of accommodation is given to certain categories of persons. These include people living in insanitary, overcrowded and unsatisfactory housing conditions. The Office of the Deputy Prime minister has issued statutory guidance that provides housing authorities with examples of indicators which might be taken into account in determining whether people are living in unsatisfactory housing conditions. These include children in flats or maisonettes above the ground floor. There is nothing to prevent housing authorities devising their own local indicators in addition, or in place of this.
1650W