Major improvements are to be carried out at many hundreds of York council homes after the Government allocated the city more than £5 million to invest in housing.

Housing Minister Nick Raynsford, announcing a 45 per cent increase in housing investment across Yorkshire, said the money would help local authorities tackle a backlog of repairs and improvements to council stock.

City of York Council's funding, totalling £5.3 million, is up by a massive 50 per cent on last year.

Bob Towner, the council's director of community services, said the money meant the authority could:

modernise the kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems at over 400 council homes

replace the windows at over 200 homes

build 60 affordable homes in partnership with housing associations.

award improvement grants to about 400 homes in the private sector.

The money also includes £237,000 specifically to give out in grants to improve disabled facilities, such as ramps.

York was also given a pat on the back by the Government in new performance ratings, published today for the first time in a bid to encourage better delivery and management of housing services.

The Government says the York authority is one of only two across the whole Yorkshire and the Humber region with a "well above average" performance.

Selby, Ryedale, Hambleton and Harrogate are all described as having "average" performance ratings, while East Riding is "above average."

Mr Raynsford said it was important local authorities developed good quality housing strategies and used resources efficiently and effectively.

"That is why half of the resources have been allocated according to authorities' performance."

A York council spokesman said: "City of York Council is obviously very pleased that our efforts in the housing area have been recognised in this funding.

"As an authority, we are committed to working creatively in partnership, particularly with housing associations and other organisations to providing affordable homes in York, with the aim of providing 500 new affordable homes by the end of next year.

"We are also investing in our own housing stock to benefit existing tenants in the future."

Councillor Viv Kind, chairwoman of housing, said the council's good performance rating was a "great tribute to the hard work of staff."

She added: "We have built up a good reputation, but it is a challenge to stay at the top."

Council officers, who were still examining the details of the Government announcement today, said final decisions on how and where the money should be spent will be made by councillors in February.

The £5.3 million includes about £1 million set aside for housing improvement grants to home-owners.

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