The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a strategy document setting out its contribution to investment in the country's infrastructure during the period of the 2002 Spending Review (the three financial years 2003-04 to 2005-06), in the context of its long-term programme. The document reaffirmed the commitment to raise all social housing to a decent standard by 2010, and added a new objective of increasing the number of private sector homes occupied by vulnerable households brought up to a decent standard. (An earlier departmental performance report had identified 100 councils at risk of missing the 2010 target, for which action plans would be prepared.)
Source: Departmental Investment Strategy 2002, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 3000) | Autumn Performance Report 2002, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Cm 5692, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Strategy document | Performance report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The government began consultation on regulations designed to provide better protection for new buildings from extreme weather, moisture and natural land contaminants.
Source: The Building Act 1984 - The Building Regulations 2000 - Proposals for Amending Part C Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation Document
Date: 2002-Dec
The government published guidance on new amendments to building regulations, aimed at improving the quality of sound insulation within and between homes (effective from 1 July 2003).
Source: Resistance to the Passage of Sound: Approved document E, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Guidance (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A report examined ways of spreading good practice in sustainable housing. It warned that there is little point in generating an increased level of demand for sustainable housing if there is not sufficient capacity to supply it.
Source: Sustainable Housing Solutions: Transferring good practice from the margins to the mainstream, Building and Social Housing Foundation (01530 510444)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
The government began consultation on plans to make Home Improvement Agency services available across the country, clarify what should be expected of agencies, and reform their structure to make more economic and geographical sense. (Home Improvement Agencies are local agencies which help vulnerable groups assess their need for improvements and adaptations, arranging funding, and providing support while the work is carried out.)
Source: Home Improvement Agencies Development and Reform, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Consultation Document
Date: 2002-Sep
Legislation came into effect repealing much of the existing prescriptive legislation governing the provision of renewal grants to homeowners, and replacing it with a new wide-ranging power to provide assistance for housing renewal.
Source: Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, Statutory Instrument 2002/1860, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Statutory Instrument
Date: 2002-Jul
The government began consultation on proposals to replace the housing fitness standard with a housing 'health and safety rating system', which it claimed would enable local authorities to address more effectively the hazards found in dwellings.
Source: Housing Renewal Guidance (Consultative Document), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 4.3
Date: 2002-Jul
A report called for a government target for bringing private housing up to a decent standard.
Source: Older Housing - The Cinderella Issue?, Chartered Institute of Housing (024 7685 1700)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 4.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
