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after dealing with low demand and providing affordable homes. In the draft strategy it came fourth on the list, with specialist and supported housing at third.

Peter Styche, director of communities at the Government Office of the North-west and a member of the board, said: 鈥淸During the consultation process] a number of local authorities said they need a minimum of funding to help them deliver the decent homes target. We鈥檒l hold funding at the line until the option appraisals [which look at ways of meeting the standard] are delivered and we have a clear hold on what鈥檚 needed.鈥�

Basic Curley, Manchester鈥檚 executive councillor for housing, said: 鈥淲e encourage and support the move to make decent homes more of a priority. In Manchester, we will have great difficulty in terms of meeting the 2010 target and this is certainly going to help and 鈥� above all 鈥� make people focus on the problem.鈥�

The regional housing board will now make spending recommendations to ministers based on its housing strategy. Ministers will announce how the North West鈥檚 拢243m of housing funding for 2003-4 will be divided up in September.

The final strategy also prioritises the provision of affordable housing in Cumbria. Other areas with a shortage of affordable housing, such as North Cheshire and South Lancashire, will be focused on in later strategies.

The regional housing board for the East published its strategy last month. The seven others are due into ministers by the end of the month.