§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will bring up to date the information concerning housing action areas in Northern Ireland, contained in their Written Reply of 7th December 1979.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Elton)The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has declared 24 housing action areas since 1st January 1976, 23 of which are in Belfast. Registered housing associations are currently working in 7 of the declared areas.
On 30th December 1980, 494 dwellings had been improved by the Housing Executive in these housing action areas and work was in progress on a further 105; 166 dwellings had been improved by housing associations and work was in progress on a further 63. In addition, a total of 741 improvement and intermediate grants under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 had been approved in housing action areas for private persons. To prevent deterioration in areas immediately surrounding declared or proposed housing action areas, the Housing Executive and some housing associations continue to acquire vacant properties for rehabilitation. Private sector house renovation grants also continue to be available.