HL Deb 26 March 1984 vol 450 cc126-7WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government: How many schemes for the repair, improvement, and adaptation of dwellings occupied by elderly owner-occupiers they are aware of; whether they will list the known locations of such schemes; in how many schemes the Manpower Services Commission is involved; and what other sources of statutory funds are available for this purpose.

Lord Skelmersdale

The Government maintain no comprehensive list of such schemes, though we are aware of several. Some deal exclusively with the needs of the elderly; in other cases the elderly form a large proportion of those who are helped. Existing schemes include—

Anchor Trust 'Staying Put': Southport,
Bradford, York,
Tyneside,
Birmingham,
Hackney,
Lambeth,
Brighton.
Age Concern 'Staying Put': Nottingham.
Care and Repair UIC Ltd.: Liverpool and Middlesbrough.
Ferndale Home Improvement Service: Rhondda.
Hyde and South Bank Housing Association: Lewisham.
Portsmouth Housing Association: Portsmouth.
Tyneside Housing Aid Centre: Newcastle.
Brent Housing Aid Centre: Brent.
Home Improvement Service Agency: Sparkbrook, Birmingham.
North Fulham Housing Improvement Zone: Hammersmith & Fulham.

The National Home Improvement Council is planning a neighbourhood revitalisation service, pilot projects for which are expected to begin shortly.

The turnover of such schemes can be rapid, and their sources of finance are diverse. Several use MSC funds; urban programme support is also available in some circumstances, as are payments under the department's special grants programme.