§ Tom CoxTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless people are estimated to be living in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement. [185350]
§ Phil HopeInformation collected about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is in respect of households, rather than persons. Estimates of the number of households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, by London boroughs during 2003–04, and the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation in London as at the end of March 2004, is tabled as follows.
Homeless households in London: 2003–04 Date Number Households accepted as homeless1 2003–04 31,530 Households in temporary accommodation2 31 March 2004 59,170 1Households eligible under homelessness legislation and found to be unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category. 2Households in temporary accommodation arranged by London boroughs pending inquiries, or after being accepted, under homelessness legislation Source: ODPM PIE homelessness returns (quarterly)