§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been committed to housing associations by way of central Government capital grants since 1974; and what proportion of this sum has been paid as a result of completion of the projects.
§ Mr. FreesonSince 1 April 1974, £2.5 billion has been committed, in loan approvals, to finance housing association projects. Housing association grant, due when projects are completed, normally meets about 80 per cent. of their total cost, the residual loan being serviced by rental income. Grants paid since 1 April 1974 total £1.5 billion.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution to the provision of specialist housing has been made by housing associations since the Housing Act 1974.
§ Mr. FreesonIn allocating resources for housing association development, the Housing Corporation gives priority to schemes designed to meet pressing housing needs including those of single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and other groups for whom there may be inadequate provision such as ex-psychiatric patients and one-parent families. Information about the number of homes provided within these categories is not available.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of acquisition and improvement of properties in inner city areas has been undertaken by housing associations since 1974.
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§ Mr. FreesonFrom 1974 to 1978 housing associations were responsible for 24 per cent. of all public expenditure on acquiring and improving old dwellings in England. The proportion expended in inner cities cannot be separately identified, but inner city rehabilitation schemes have been given high priority by the Housing Corporation.