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Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of those who were sleeping rough in 1998 and are no longer doing so are now in paid employment. [43108] Ms Keeble: Personal details of rough sleepers in 1998 were in many cases not recorded, making it hard to track their progress away from the street and into housing, training and employment. As part of delivering its strategy the unit has now put in place client monitoring systems to track the progress of individuals in their move from sleeping rough to independent living. These systems are subject to review and further development. The Rough Sleepers Unit has worked with Government Departments, other statutory bodies and voluntary agencies to help people with a history of sleeping rough to access statutory benefits, education, training and employment. The unit has funded the Homeless Routeway to Employment, "Learning Zones", a website to help rough sleepers into employment and a "jobs-led hostel" which specifically helps former rough sleepers into work. The unit has also invested £2 million of its Special Innovation Fund in schemes to build self esteem and help former rough sleepers into employment, including Business in the Community which has helped businesses provide work placements, training and support to local homeless agencies and their clients. Tenancy Sustainment Teams in London and other cities around England also help former rough sleepers and homeless people that have moved from hostels into their own accommodation to resettle permanently and to take up training and employment. Meaningful occupation workers in each Tenancy Sustainment Team identify and maximise specific support and training to help former rough sleepers to prepare for and take up employment opportunities.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

43108; 382 c28-9W;382 c27-8W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Employment Homelessness Pay Sleeping rough Rough Sleepers Unit Homelessness Directorate

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk