[holding answer 12 October 2009]: The Government have provided significant funding to support delivery of Decent Homes Programmes in the social housing sector across West Yorkshire. Such works will help to uplift the condition of housing which is currently deemed non-decent. With the exception of the Wakefield local authority area all other local authority areas in the West Yorkshire sub-region are on track to complete the decency programmes in line with the December 2010 deadline.
In terms of Leeds North West, the Arm’s-Length Management Organisation, West North West is on track to deliver decent homes by 2010-11. Significant investment of £1.5 million in 2009-10 and £1.8 million in 2010-11 will be made on decency works and essential maintenance. West North West has also set its own lettable standard which is published on the website and provides for a higher level decency.
In addition, West North West will be investing £74,000 in 2009-10 and £62,000 in 2010-11 on environmental works to complement housing investment and improve the standard of the public realm.
1,500 properties in West North West area will benefit from the Social Housing Energy Saving Programme which will provide insulation measures thus increasing levels of thermal comfort.
Leeds and Kirklees will also benefit from the recent first round announcement regarding the local authority new build programme which was announced in the budget and was recently strengthened by the Housing Pledge. This will provide much needed high quality additional social housing—63 units supported by £3.5 million in Leeds and 36 units supported by almost £2 million grant in Kirklees.