By Tony Booth

The government has recently announced the 2008/2009 Pathfinder funding programme, committing £1billion to local housing revival schemes.

£100 million is to be given to five specific areas over the next three years. This massive pot of gold should help bring some of the most deprived areas of the country up onto the property 'hot-spot' list ... but who is going to get the money and how is one northwest city already planning to spend it?

The targeted funding of specific locations could be crucial to property investors, particularly during this all-too-uncertain phase of a downward spiralling market.

Anything that helps lift confidence must be beneficial - and this funding program will help some of the most deprived areas of the country create improved infrastructures, better amenities and promote additional private development.