Homelessness

Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde Excerpts

Monday 28th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the question of why people rough sleep certainly includes mental health problems. The mayor’s initiative to take people in immediately—along with the other hostels—ensures that they get access to both healthcare and support for moving on into housing.

[Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde]

Is there strong MoD representation on the interdepartmental committee? It is a known fact that ex-service personnel in particular have issues of homelessness and represent quite a considerable number of those sleeping rough.

[Baroness Hanham]

The answer to that is yes. The Ministry of Defence is represented on the cross-ministerial group. It is well understood that a number of the people who are on the streets are prisoners who have been let out without care. I know that attention is also being given to ensure that better care is given to prisoners before they leave prison, because it is clearly one aspect that is giving difficulty.