§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Ms Keeble on 10 January (HC Deb, 976W), what factors have affected the number of affordable houses in rural settlements in England with a population of 3,000 or less, completed and funded by the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and local authority Social Housing Grant, where numbers have fallen from 2,020 in 1997 to 463 in 2001–02. [HL2379]
§ Lord Falconer of Thoroton463 affordable homes in rural settlements in England with a population of 3,000 or less were completed and funded by the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and local authority Social Housing Grant during the eight-month period 1 April 2001 to 30 November 2001.
The Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme rural settlement target is to approve, 1,100 units between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002. This will be supplemented with housing provided through local authority funding. In addition, we are encouraging local authorities to make effective use of the planning system.