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Thursday 1st April 2004 |
138/2004 |
The government has today confirmed the release of the second instalment of Wigan’s £137million housing windfall.
In a written statement to the House of Commons, Housing Minister Keith Hill noted the “excellent progress” made so far by Wigan & Leigh Housing in its efforts to modernise the borough’s 26,000 council homes and approved the outstanding £79m.
Just over a year ago, government inspectors gave the green light for a massive £58m cash boost; contractors have since been busy with security, fencing and parking schemes, insulation and damp proof work, refitting kitchens, upgrading bathrooms, rewiring, re-roofing, and making substantial inroads into the backlog of structural repairs.
Peter Gee, Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing says:
“This is excellent news for council tenants and the army of local workers involved in the modernisation project.”
Wigan & Leigh Housing Chairman, Steve Parker adds:
“For years we were struggling to keep the outside of our homes in a decent condition and we were hardly able to touch the interior fittings. Now, we are making the kind of real, fundamental home improvements people expect and deserve. The decision to pursue arm’s length management of the council’s housing stock has been fully vindicated.”
So far, Wigan & Leigh Housing has:
Housing bosses are forecasting that every home in the borough will be up to decency standard by 2008 — two years before the government’s deadline.
For more information, please contact Peter Gee on 01942 827401.