MILLIONS of pounds will be invested in council homes if City of York Council's housing budget proposals win support.

Spending plans being unveiled today reveal that £9.6 million would be poured into capital housing projects over 2005/2006 with £7 million used to upgrade council homes, amenities and York Pride schemes.

Coun Sue Sunderland, executive member for housing, is confident her proposals are "proof of the Lib Dem commitment to providing quality council housing and supporting vulnerable people in York".

If approved, the council will spend £1 million on tackling housing priorities highlighted by tenants while decisions on programmes of work will also consider what other jobs could be done at the same time. For example, when flats are painted, communal areas will also be redecorated. Such works are planned for Nunnery Lane, The Groves and Kingsway West.

Savings of £92,000 will be made through a partnership with the council's commercial services for housing maintenance and repairs.

The partnership will see repairs completed at the first visit and better initial diagnosis of repairs to give better value for money.

Repairs will also be done a lot quicker at homes which are empty between lets while the public purse will benefit from the commercial services' ability to buy materials at affordable prices.

"We are also employing seven new handymen and women to help in the upkeep of estates," said Coun Sunderland.

The council wants to spend £37,000 on helping move people out of unsuitable properties, such as elderly residents in houses too big for their needs after their family has moved out.

Coun Sunderland said the money would be used to offer help, advice and financial support to ease the stress of moving.

"We will absolutely not be asking people to move if they do not want to, merely helping those who have already expressed a desire to move to a smaller property. This will have the knock-on effect of helping to free up bigger properties for families currently awaiting a council home and help ensure that people are adequately housed."

A further £19,000 will support the Home Improvement Agency (HIA) which helps people address problems caused by poor or inadequate housing through free advice and assistance with repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes.

An extra £24,000 in support of the Private Leasing Scheme will ensure that, by leasing city properties to provide housing for families, there are no families in bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodation, to save a further £12,000.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, December 23, 2004