ONE of Ealing Council's housing agents has been awarded two stars in a government inspection giving it the potential of securing millions of pounds worth of extra funding.

Ealing Homes, which looks after more than 14,000 homes for the council, has secured £64million with the possibility of securing a further £143million to redevelop the council's housing stock following an Audit Commission inspection.

Ealing Homes will be given £64million initially, but it will have to meet certain criteria set out by the Audit Commission and the Office of Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) before the rest of the money can be borrowed.

If successful, the total amount of money Ealing Homes is entitled to borrow will be £207 million which will bridge the existing funding gap needed to deliver the decent homes standard by 2010.

Darra Singh, the council's chief executive, said: "This is fantastic news and means we will have access to £64 million, over the next 18 months, to get on with the job of improving tenants' homes.

"This means by 2010 all council properties that require it will have brand new modern kitchens, bathrooms, gas central heating systems, windows and roofs."

The inspection on Ealing Homes, the council's Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO), which was carried out last May was their first after only starting up in September last year.

Ealing Homes was awarded two out of a possible three stars because it delivers good quality, customer- oriented services in areas including capital improvement works, estate management and resident involvement. Maureen Corcoran, Audit Commission head of housing for London, said: "Ealing Homes delivers a good standard of service to its customers. Sufficient progress has been made since the inspection of the council's housing management services in September 2004 and there is increased performance in most service areas.

"There have been improvements in the cross-cutting themes of customer care and access, diversity and value for money. Planned and cyclical maintenance, major repairs, gas servicing, resident involvement and estate management are all areas of particular strength."

Liban Ali, Ealing Homes' chair, said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the Audit Commission's inspection of our services and, in particular, their recognition of marked service improvements.

"I thank the residents for challenging Ealing Homes and rightfully demanding a good quality housing service. Equally, I thank all the board members and Ealing Homes' staff for focusing on and responding to the needs of our tenants and leaseholders."

"We also acknowledge that there is still more to be done and I assure you that we will deliver decent homes and continue on our journey to excellence."