Homelessness

House of Lords written question – answered at on 21 October 2011.

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Photo of Lord Janner of Braunstone Lord Janner of Braunstone Labour

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to prevent an increase in the level of homelessness.

Photo of Baroness Hanham Baroness Hanham The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

This Government are committed to tackling and preventing homelessness and protecting the vulnerable. We have maintained homelessness grant funding, investing £400 million over the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to tackle and prevent homelessness. This includes £10 million to fund the voluntary sector to help single homeless people access and sustain private rented sector accommodation.

We have acted decisively to introduce a more accurate assessment of rough sleeping levels so that there is clear information in all areas, to inform service provision and action to address the problem. We also recently announced £42.5 million for the homelessness change programme which will provide around 1,400 new and improved bed spaces to improve hostels for rough sleepers and ensure that those coming off the streets get the support they need.

We have established a ministerial working group on homelessness which brings together eight departments to tackle the complex causes-not only housing, but just as importantly health, work and training. They have pledged that for the first time no one should ever need to experience a second night sleeping rough.

We are providing £190 million available to local authorities to support households affected by welfare reform and our £4.5 billion affordable homes programme is set to exceed expectations and deliver up to 170,000 affordable homes by 2015.

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