§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assistance is available to local authority housing departments to meet the Government's decent homes standard. [155118]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has provided both financial and other support to assist local authorities in delivering decent homes. Over the period 2003–06 £7.9 billion is available for capital expenditure on the HRA housing stock.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also making available £1.4 billion through the Private Finance Initiative Guidance on implementing the standard and conducting options appraisals has also been published on; http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house 027345.pdf
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's "Community Housing Task Force" together with Government Offices for the Regions are currently working with local authorities to help them develop their options appraisals.
This process is designed to help the authority put in place a plan that will deliver decent homes.