15/07/2003

Housing standards improve in England

Substantial improvement has been made in the overall condition of the housing stock in England since 1996, according to the 2001 English House Condition Survey published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) today.

Housing Minister Keith Hill said that the survey shows the number of non-decent homes in the social sector fell from 2.3 million to 1.6 million over the same period, whilst in the private sector the proportion of vulnerable households in non-decent homes dropped from 58% to 43%, compared with an average of 32% for the sector as a whole.

Mr Hill said: "This means a substantial improvement to the quality of life for many thousands of people. It means more people now have better homes that are in good repair and are warm and comfortable to live in."

The English House Condition survey also highlights environmental problems experienced by a large number of households with some 2.5 million dwellings affected by heavy traffic and parking; 1 million by poorly maintained/neglected buildings, private gardens and public spaces; and 0.5 million by vandalism, graffiti and other forms of anti-social behaviour. About 2.4 million dwellings are situated in poor neighbourhoods where there are relative concentrations of housing or environmental problems.

As part of the 2000 Spending Review, a target was set to bring all social housing up to a decent standard by 2010.

(GMcG)

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