§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to seek to increase accommodation to rent in Bradford; what resources have been allocated to the Housing Corporation for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungMy right hon. Friend announced on 20 November a gross provision of £2,532 million for capital investment by local authorities in 1986–87, with a total of £1,465 million available for housing investment programme (HIP) allocations, and a gross total of £685 million for the Housing Corporation's approved development plan. Bradford city council will be notified before Christmas of its HIP allocation for 1986–87. Local authorities have discretion in deciding the content of their capital programmes but we expect them to give priority to renovation of the existing housing stock and, in the case of new build, to concentrate on meeting special needs which cannot be met by the private sector. The breakdown of the Housing Corporation's programme for 1986–87 will be announced after consultation with the corporation, which will then be responsible for making allocations to individual housing associations and projects. Fair rent projects which will provide 643 homes for a total estimated cost of £16.645 million are currently being funded by the Housing Corporation in Bradford.