§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many new social lettings(a) were made by housing associations in the last year and (b) are expected to be made next year, and what is his Department's lowest estimate for housing need on Merseyside; [5382]
(2) how many new homes will be built by housing associations on Merseyside during the next 12 months; and what estimate his Department made of the number to be built in that period (a) at the start of 1995–96 and (b) currently. [5360]
§ Mr. ClappisonHousing associations provided around 70,700 new social lettings in 1994–95 through Housing Corporation and local authority funding together with the private finance attracted. In 1996–97 it is estimated that the equivalent figure will be around 53,400 with a further 7,200 new social lettings being provided from other sources. In addition, some 250,000 housing association and local authority dwellings become available for reletting each year.
The Department's estimates of newly arising need for social lettings are made at national level and are not disaggregated regionally.
The Housing Corporation will be publishing details of its capital funding allocations in each local authority area in the new year after it has assessed housing associations' bids for 1996–97 projects and finalised the approved development programme. Earlier years' estimates of 1996–97 output were national and not disaggregated regionally.