23.05.13
Harlow modernisation for 4,500 homes
A £22m programme has been launched to modernise council homes in Harlow. The council will upgrade over 4,500 homes between June 2013 and March 2014 as part of a larger, five-year £100m housing investment project.
Internal improvements will bring around 1,800 homes up to the Government’s Decent Homes standard, including new high-security front doors, upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, and energy efficient heating systems.
The project will be funded by rent and additional grants secured by the Council. Other upgrades and modernisation work includes electrical rewiring, smoke detectors fitted, extractor fans replaced, double glazed windows and environmental improvements.
Cllr Rod Truan, cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said: “This is the biggest investment ever made in modernising council housing in Harlow which will improve our tenants’ quality of life. The programme has been prioritised so we make sure the homes that benefit first are those most in need of improving to meet the Decent Homes standard.
“Over the next five years the plan is that nearly every council home will receive some form of improvement work. Improvements like making homes warmer and more economical to run, updating kitchens and bathrooms and replacing old windows and doors with high security products will all help provide better housing in Harlow.”
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