The information presented here relates to assistance for housing improvement funded primarily by local authorities. This information is collected annually by the Welsh Government from all 22 local authorities in Wales in order to establish and monitor the amount spent across Wales on private sector renewal and the number of dwellings that have been improved. It is used to monitor trends in activity undertaken by local authorities to improve the quality of housing stock within their area. This helps to monitor the effectiveness of current policy, particularly progress against the National Housing Strategy objectives and for future policy development. Local authorities can offer homeowners financial help with home improvement and repair. This can include grants and loans for acquiring, adapting, improving, repairing, demolishing and replacing accommodation. In many cases, this assistance is targeted at vulnerable groups such as the disabled or elderly. This assistance is referred to as private sector renewal activity. The information shown includes activity under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002. From July 2003, the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 introduced new arrangements, giving local authorities more flexibility in dealing with problems of local stock condition.