The research provides information on local authorities’ strategies for implementing the decent homes programme, and how these link to tenant priorities and other priorities for their stock.

It identifies the main issues for local authorities relating to this, including the new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). The impact of decent homes on local authority housing programmes is assessed. Looks at evidence of the work undertaken to deliver decent homes.

The Housing Green Paper, ‘Quality and choice: a decent home for all’, set out the commitment that all social housing in the UK must meet specified standards of decency by 2010.

This research was commissioned in order to provide the UK government’s Communities and Local Government department with information on how the decent homes programme is actually being implemented.

The research findings were based on detailed case studies of fourteen local authorities and four registered social landlords. A follow up survey of all local authorities and a large sample of registered social landlords was then conducted.

The findings suggest that most social landlords welcomed the concept of a minimum standard, but there was a need for the clarification of many aspects.

There was concern from social landlords about the quality of information they received about their stock, and it was suggested that a number of authorities are likely to be overestimating the number of properties falling into disrepair.

Communities and Local Government
Phone: + 44 20 79444400
Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

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01/02/2007

Maggie Davidson and Justine Piddington, on behalf of BRE

research

Urban Policy > Housing

Housing quality