The Executive’s response tothe Housing Improvement Task Force’s final report was announced on 16 December 2003.The Executive has identifiedsome £10 million per annum for implementing the recommendations of the task force.This is intended to meet the cost of introducing specific new initiativesrecommended by the task force and is in addition to the direct grant (PrivateSector Housing Grant) the Executive now provides to local authorities to fundtheir expenditure on assistance to private owners.Since 1999, the Executive’s overallhousing budget has increased by 26% in real terms.