Future of the Decent Homes Programme – Parliamentary Written Answer

John Healey MP: What was the planned budget for the Decent Homes programme at the start of the 2010-11 financial year; and has the budget been changed since 6 May 2010?
Andrew Stunell MP: At the start of 2010-11 the Decent Homes budget was £848 million, covering the ALMO programme: local authority supported capital expenditure; and gap funding arrangements that support some housing transfer schemes. No decisions to change this budget have been taken since 6 May.
John Healey MP: What is the Government’s policy on the completion of the Decent Homes programme in (a) local authority and (b) housing association properties?
Andrew Stunell MP: The Government believe all social housing should meet a minimum standard of decency, and will continue to invest in the Decent Homes programme as resources allow.
John Healey MP: When does the Government expect the refurbishment of social housing under the Decent Homes programme to be completed?
Andrew Stunell MP: Completion of the backlog of repairs to council housing depends on additional capital resource. Future funding for the Decent Homes programme will be decided in the context of the Government's Spending Review.
John Healey MP: What estimate has been made of the number of (a) local authority and (b) housing association properties remaining to be refurbished under the Decent Homes programme on 31 March 2012?
Andrew Stunell MP: Using social landlords' statistical returns for the year 2008-09 we have forecast that 160,000 local authority and 58,000 housing association properties will be counted as non-decent at the end of March 2012.