HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 cc134-5W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the financial allocation from his Department to housing associations in Coventry for 1996–97; and what is the estimated figure for 1997–98. [27910]

Mr. Clappison

In 1996–97 the Housing Corporation is allocating £3.6 million housing association grant to housing associations for new social housing schemes in Coventry. In addition, these schemes will make use of other public subsidy valued at £490,000, through discounted land sales by the local authority. Revenue grant of £51,248 is also being allocated for special needs schemes.

Allocation details will be published shortly in the Housing Corporation's regional allocations statements. No firm estimates are available for 1997–98 allocations.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many social dwellings in Coventry are in need of repairs(a) in real terms and (b) as a percentage of the total social housing stock in Coventry; and if he will estimate the cost of such repairs; [27911]

(2) how many households were moved out of social housing in Coventry in 1995 as a result of the state of repair of their homes. [27913]

Mr. Clappison

Local authorities in England are asked to provide estimates of the numbers of their own dwellings and dwellings owned by housing associations in their area in need of renovation on 1 April in their annual housing investment programme HIP1 returns. The estimates given in Coventry's 1995 return were as follows:

Unfit dwellings Dwellings not unfit but in need of renovation
Local authority
Number 646 20,393
Proportion of stock 3.1 per cent. 96.9 per cent.
Housing associations
Number 10 126
Proportion of stock 0.2 per cent. 2.5 per cent.

The figures reported by authorities on the HIP1 return are their own estimates and are not necessarily complied on a consistent basis.

Information is not held centrally on the costs of renovating these dwellings nor on the numbers of households moved out of social housing because of the state of repair of the dwelling.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many social dwellings in Coventry will be demolished in 1996–97. [27912]

Mr. Clappison

There is a phased programme of demolitions on the Willenhall estate involving 136 local authority owned properties which will commence in 1996–97. These dwellings will be replaced with a mixture of dwellings which will be available for sale, shared ownership and rent. There is no known programme for the demolition of housing association dwellings.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of building a new(a) social dwelling and (b) specialised social dwelling in Coventry. [27909]

Mr. Clappison

In Coventry the average cost in 1995–96 of a new general needs housing association home, with funding from the Housing Corporation, was £52,800. The average cost of a new special needs housing association home in 1995–96 was £53,700.