The multi-million pound government investment is aimed at tackling housing problems by improving homes and providing more choice.

The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Fund will provide money for improvements in Preston Road, Bransholme, Orchard Park, the Ings and west Hull.

Residents in each area will be asked for their help in drawing up plans to bring houses up to a minimum standard of comfort.

Don Smallwood, of the Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company, said: "At last we are talking about new houses being built on Preston Road, we are talking about all houses being brought up to a decent standard, and we are talking about growth not decline.

"We already have a housing waiting list here, we have interest from housing developers to build here, and with this support from the council the future is looking very bright indeed."

A spokesperson for the housing department said they were asking for plans from each of the communities by April 2004.