Councils call for clarity amid fears for private sector target

Councils have asked the government for urgent clarification on its Communities Plan pledge to bring 210,000 vulnerable private sector homes up to the decent standard by 2010.

Councils – supported by the Local Government Association – say the ODPM's failure to define "vulnerable households" and how any work would fit with the Supporting People regime is threatening the target.

The latest figures from the English House Condition Survey show that half the 2.1 million private rented homes in England fall below the decency standard for social housing.

Bob Osbourne, head of housing at Salford council, said: "The questions that need to be urgently addressed by the government are: what is its definition of vulnerable households and how does this fit with the £1.4bn Supporting People programme? If we don't get clarification on this, then we will struggle to meet any private sector target.

"A high proportion of Salford citizens are lone parents and pensioners who would certainly qualify as vulnerable. We need to cross-reference our list of private sector property that is in poor repair with vulnerable people. My gut feeling is that the bill for Salford would be quite significant."

Salford has 71,000 private sector homes. According to a survey in 2001, 15% of these are in poor repair and require £57m investment.

A further 6% fail the decent homes standard and also need £57m investment. More than a quarter of private sector households receive means-tested benefits.

A senior housing source said: "2010 is the target but councils have to be mindful of ticking time, especially in areas where investment in private sector has been lacking.

"The chances of hitting the private sector target must be less than for social housing due to the fact it has received much less attention and thought by comparison. In many areas, the scale of the problem is frightening for local authorities. It will be a mammoth task."

An ODPM spokeswoman said: "We are confident of meeting the 2010 target for the private sector. We shall be publishing revised guidance on the decent homes target in October. This will provide advice on implementing this in the private sector and monitoring at a local level. We have defined 'vulnerability' as those people on income-related or disability benefits." She was unable to comment on Supporting People.