SINCE the Elevate housing scheme was introduced, East Lancashire’s towns have seen huge changes.

Last year, 272 houses no-longer fit for purpose were knocked down across the area to be replaced by new homes.

A further 522 are being knocked down this year and hundreds more are being gutted and revamped to make them suitable for 21st century living.

To pay for all this work, Elevate has been given millions of pounds of government funding, including more than £50million for this year alone.

Bosses at the organisation in its annual report said they were confident of getting another £48million for next year so the work can continue. This is despite the threat of funding cutbacks from central government, which is now looking for ways to save money to help pay back money borrowed to help the country through the credit crunch.

The work that Elevate does is vital to improve poor quality housing for people in East Lancashire.

It also has the knock-on effect of stimulating the local economy by helping to attract new people and industries to the area as well as providing work for builders and tradesmen.

Let us hope that Elevate bosses are correct and the good work which the organisation is doing can continue.

It would be a terrible shame for the money to run out just as good progress is being made.