When the Decent Homes programme started in South Tyneside in 2008, it sought to change the lives of over 18,000 tenants and leaseholders by bringing accommodation up to standard and improving lives.

Since then, 8,881 council homes have benefited from new kitchens, 9,495 from new bathrooms, 3,039 new roofs and 11,220 have had heating systems. Properties have been made more thermally efficient and tenants' fuel bills have decreased.