Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

Regional Housing Strategy for the East of England: 2005–2010
6.20 Significantly, the Government requires homes to be brought up to the ‘Decent Homes Standard‘,
with different targets for the public and private sectors. All public sector housing must reach the
Decent Homes Standard by 2010.
6.21 Within the public sector, housing associations are expected to attain the standard through their
business planning processes, ensuring that needs are assessed and the necessary funds are made
available through their own financial management.
6.22 Local authorities are currently conducting ‘Options Appraisals‘ to identify whether they have the
capacity to achieve the standard within their current arrangements. These options are considered
in consultation with tenants and the outcome of the appraisals for all local housing authorities will
be known by July 2005. Local authorities are also expected to have in their business plans, targets
for both public and private sector decent homes.
6.23 The Decent Homes target for private sector housing occupied by vulnerable households is to
increase to 70% the number of such households living in decent housing by 2010. It is important
to recognise that vulnerable households may need advice and support – the role of Home
Improvement Agencies is significant here.
6.24 Poor stock condition tends to be a problem around the ‘fringes‘ of the Region, particularly in some
the coastal areas. Other areas where deteriorating condition is likely to be a particular problem are
in the older ‘new town‘ areas such as Basildon, Harlow, Stevenage, and to some extent
Peterborough. People may have bought the Commission for New Town stock and they, like their
homes, are becoming increasingly vulnerable. This presents a particular problem as high numbers
of homes reach a vulnerable stage at the same time. Finally pockets of multiple deprivation such
as in Luton and Great Yarmouth are likely to demonstrate problems of disrepair.
6.25 Local authorities are encouraged to carry out surveys of both their own public sector stock and
housing in the private sector, to provide detailed information on which to base proposals for
improvement and renewal. Local authority powers have recently been extended by the Housing
Act 2004. Among other requirements, it has introduced the responsibility for local housing
authorities to assess the condition of stock using the ‘Housing Health and Safety Rating System’,
which considers the risks that occupiers face in their homes.
6.26 Knowing the scale of the problem is one thing, having the capacity to deal with it is another. The
Regulatory Reform Order of 2002 has provided local housing authorities with additional powers
to tackle these issues such as by providing loans and working in partnership with others.
6.27 One of the difficulties for local authorities is accessing alternative funding for repairs through
loans. ‘Equity release‘ is one model that has been used, but is not universally popular because of
the requirement for a charge on the property and the tendency to release large sums of money
when the need might actually be for small sums.
6.28 There are a number of other models that could be used, for example Community Investment Trusts
or working with housing associations in their capacity as ‘social investment agents‘.
6.29 EEDA sponsored the Suffolk Regeneration Trust, which was established in 2004. Among its aims
is to work with partners to tackle debt and financial exclusion.
6.30 Members of the National Housing Federation who have signed up to ‘iN business for
neighbourhoods’ may also be active players.
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