The ODPM has announced that 14 more councils will bid for PFI investment in better homes and more social rented housing. The councils will not be named until after next month's local elections, but the 14-strong list includes authorities in London, the South East, North West, North East, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside. The expression of interest bids include nine new-build schemes, and five decent homes and local regeneration projects. An announcement will be made in the summer about whether the bids have been successful or not. Unsuccessful councils can re-evaluate their options and re-apply in future rounds. The successful authorities will then be invited to submit Outline Business Cases. A bidding round will be launched in May for arm's length management organisations (ALMOs) and housing transfers for councils not yet on a decent homes programme. The deadline for bids will be at the end of July, and the final outcome will be announced in the autumn. ~John Prescott~'s sustainable communities plan has confirmed the Government's plan to provide all social housing tenants with decent homes by 2010.
