§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements the Government have put in place to ensure that the special needs of disabled people are provided for within its affordable housing policy. [144096]
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§ Yvette CooperAll new build affordable housing schemes funded by the Government through the Housing Corporation must meet the requirements of "Part M" of the building regulations, which the Government revised in 1999 to improve the accessibility and convenience of new housing. The revised regulations include requirements to ensure that entrances, lifts, corridors, doorways and WCs are accessible, including to wheelchair users. In addition, all newly built affordable housing schemes funded through the Housing Corporation must comply with the Corporation's scheme development standards, which adopt criteria for accessibility and internal environments that help to make homes even more adaptable to long-term needs.
The Government also provides resources for adaptations to existing homes to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities. Local housing authorities have a statutory duty to offer means tested Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to eligible applicants in both the private and social rented sectors who require adaptations to help them live independently in their own homes. The Government meets 60 per cent. of local authority expenditure incurred on DFGs, with the remaining 40 per cent. being met from the authority's own resources. We have increased funding for this grant to £99 million in 2003–04, compared with £88 million in 2002–03 and £56 million in 1997–98.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what complaints he has received on the balloting arrangements of local authorities consulting tenants on plans to transfer their housing stocks. [146630]
§ Keith HillNone.