The Conservative-led Government has pledged £77 million of funding over the next two years to improve housing in Tower Hamlets.
£25 million of Decent Homes funding has been pledged for 2013-14. This figure will rise to £46 million in 2014/15. This money will go to renovate kitchens and bathrooms in council housing, and fund re-wiring and new heating systems where they are needed most.
In addition, Tower Hamlets has secured £6 million from the New Homes Bonus scheme which goes towards building new homes. This is the largest grant from the New Homes Bonus to any borough in the country.
Cllr Tim Archer, Conservative councillor for Blackwall and Cubitt Town, said "This is the boost for housing Tower Hamlets really needs. This money will help us to build new homes, relieving pressure in the borough’s 24,000-long waiting list, and to improve existing homes."
"The last Labour Government left office in 2010 with 55% of social housing in Tower Hamlets not up to Decent Homes standard. That is a disgraceful record. The Respect-backed Mayor presides over a housing waiting list of 24,000 and has taken decisions to cut the average spend on repairs to council housing, damaging the quality of the work carried out.
"Only the Conservative-led Government is securing the investment in our housing stock our borough needs. I congratulate ministers on identifying local residents’ priorities and putting Government cash where it counts."