02/09/2008 - Tenants set to take the lead on housing

A report going to Cabinet next Tuesday will unveil plans for a tenant-led Community Housing Trust. The proposals would see no change to the ownership of council homes, which would remain with the council, but to how they are managed, with tenants having greater control over the service.

Paul Wren, Chair of the Tenants’ Panel, says: “The government is giving ever greater support to tenant managed housing organisations, and quite a number of these now exist. We feel that the time is right for us to take this step and get a greater say for tenants and leaseholders in how their homes are managed.”

The idea has also gained cross-party support, with councillors from the three main political parties represented, along with tenants and council officers, on the working group set up to consider the idea.

If agreed, the proposals would have no adverse impact on other parts of the council, on existing housing staff or the local offices. The plans would also provide opportunities to re-focus resources dedicated to community projects and tackling anti-social behaviour, which residents in a recent survey rated as being important to them.

Mr Wren added: “We have an aim to be independently rated as “excellent” in delivering housing services. It has been proven that greater tenant involvement leads to improved services and customer satisfaction, and we believe that can only benefit tenants and the community as a whole”.