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As of April 2009, 86% of homes in the social sector were classed as decent and the Programme also brought wider benefits such as improved housing management, tenant involvement and employment opportunities.
The original target was that all social sector homes would be decent by 2010, but by November 2009 the Department was estimating that approximately 92% of social housing would meet the standard by 2010, leaving 305,000 properties 'non-decent'. 100% decency would not be achieved until 2018-19.
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The NAO has concluded that there are weaknesses in the information collected by the Department, warning that information gaps create a risk to value for money. Weaknesses in the Department's information are illustrated by uncertainties over the total cost of the Programme to itself or to the sector and the number of properties improved.
Mr Amyas Morse, Head of the NAO, said: "The Programme to make social sector housing and private sector housing for vulnerable people decent has made progress, and the families living in those properties will be enjoying the benefits.
"However, there are risks to both the Programme's completion and what has been achieved so far if a reliable funding mechanism is not put in place to deliver the remainder of the Programme and to maintain homes to a decent standard.
"Hundreds of thousands of families are still living in properties which are not warm, weather tight, or in a reasonable state of repair. The Department's efforts have been undermined by weaknesses in the information it holds. There are important lessons here on the benefits of having clear information on Programmes when delivery is devolved to a local level."
(CD/GK)
