§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking, other than under the Housing Act 2004, to ensure that empty properties under contract to the National Asylum Support 7WA Service are made available to local authorities to help them meet their obligations under the Homelessness Act 2002. [HL646]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe main focus has been to reduce the number of empty properties for which NASS pays. This work has been successful and the number of such properties under contract to NASS has been significantly reduced by the termination of two contracts and the non-extension of a third. Discussions are taking place with local authorities in whose areas there are empty properties, to make them available to meet wider community obligations.