Council houses will be improved after £13million was made available, with more money to be used to support disabled residents and bring empty homes back into use.

Cabinet approved funding from the housing revenue account capital programme to go towards maintaining and improving the council’s housing stock and estates, during their meeting on Tuesday in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

Further expenditure will be granted to support disabled facilities, home repairs and empty property grants.

Older, vulnerable and disabled residents will also be better targeted to receive financial assistance to repair, adapt or improve their properties.

The policy will target those in low income households with occupants over 60 or children under 16 or someone who is disabled or has a long term serious illness.

The new policy will come into effect on May 1.