Written question asked by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 March 2002. It was answered by Stephen Byers (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 March 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how it was determined whether someone on the streets during the latest rough sleeping head count conducted by the Rough Sleepers Unit was a rough sleeper; and if he will publish the guidelines issued to those conducting the count, relating to whom should be included in the count.

Answer: Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how it was determined whether someone on the streets during the latest rough sleeping headcount conducted by the Rough Sleepers Unit was a rough sleeper; and if he will publish the guidelines issued to those conducting the count, relating to whom should be included in the count. [40052] Mr. Byers: Rough sleeping headcounts are conducted by local authorities and voluntary sector agencies and the results are submitted to the DTLR. The definition of people who should be included in rough sleeper counts is clearly set out in Government guidance, which was first published in 1996. It is: "people sleeping, or bedded down, in the open air (such as on the streets, or in doorways, parks or bus shelters); people in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations or `bashes')". This is the guidance that is still used today.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 40052; 381 c186W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Codes of practice Homelessness Statistics Sleeping rough Rough Sleepers Unit Homelessness Directorate
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk