§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of Government funds allocated for housing is specified for the sound proofing of ageing 227W council and housing association properties; and what proportion of this money will be allocated to the Housing Corporation for use by registered social landlords. [80587]
§ Mr. McNultyAlthough we have not allocated funds specifically for sound proofing of ageing council or housing association properties, we have set a target requiring social landlords to bring their housing up to the decent home standard, one component of which is adequate insulation against external noise.
Local authorities can meet this target either through their own resources and through the Major Repairs Allowance and Single Capital Pot; or by setting up a high performance Arms Length Housing Management Organisation (ALMO); or through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme; or by transferring their stock to one or more housing associations.
Repairs to housing association stock to bring it up to the decent home standard may be funded through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme.