However, local government experts cautioned against premature celebrations, claiming the investment would repair just 10 per cent of the nation's rundown housing stock.
For the first time, separate allocations for private sector renewal or for the capital receipts initiative were no longer identified, following consultation earlier this year.
Efficiency and effectiveness were again the focus of the programme, with 50 per cent of the resources allocated according to authorities' performance.
Raynsford said: "I expect all local authorities to work hard in the coming year to further improve the service they provide to their tenants and residents."
But even those deemed to be performing "well below average" won an increase on the previous year's investment, and none appear to have been cut.
The Local Government Association welcomed the increase, but reminded government that despite the rise HIP would still be lower in real terms than in 1994/95.
Head of housing Paul Lautman said: "This does need to be put into the context of the severity of past reductions in housing investment. Government needs to build on this in the next spending review and make sure that public spending on housing continues the upward trend."
Chartered Institute of Housing policy director John Perry said: "The important thing is that when the capital receipts initiative ends and the end of this comprehensive spending review we don't go back to square one for the next round."
Birmingham was given the biggest handout, which increased by 80 per cent from last year's £45m to almost £81m.
The authority has already announced plans to transfer its 96,000 properties. Housing services chair Dennis Minnis pledged to look carefully at the figures and determine the implications for the homes, but a spokesman confirmed the investment would not change their position on transferring as £2 billion of improvements are needed.
Source
Housing Today
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