Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce proposals to fund large scale replacement and redevelopment of housing in areas with high vacancy rates and high numbers of derelict properties.

The Estate Regeneration National Strategy and funding package was launched on 8 December 2016. The funding will help accelerate and improve estate regeneration schemes and was developed following work with over 120 estates across England.

The funding comprises £140 million of recoverable loan funding, £30 million of enabling grant and £2 million of capacity building grant.

The programme represents a huge opportunity for providing new housing, as well as tackling blight and social problems. Estate regeneration can transform neighbourhoods by delivering high quality, well designed housing and public space, a better quality of life and new opportunities for residents. In many cases it can also deliver additional homes for local people.

This approach can be applied to areas of housing with high vacancy rates and large numbers of derelict properties. The national strategy aims to encourage local partners to assess options for regeneration in consultation with local communities, including demolition and redevelopment, in-fill or refurbishment. Many local authorities are already taking a strategic approach to place-making by addressing housing need alongside infrastructure and connectivity, service reform and employment opportunities.