Housing and Regeneration Options Appraisal - next steps

In September, the Council considered a report concerning the Government consultation paper, “Reform of Council Housing Finance” which came out in July, and the implications of this for the Council’s Housing Options Appraisal, as reported previously.

The Council took into account the information available and the likely timescale involved in achieving a change to the way in which Council Housing is funded. There appeared little benefit for the Council and its tenants and leaseholders from the Government’s proposed changes to the existing system of retaining Council Housing in Swindon.

Members of the Council felt the potential level of Housing debt the Council could face as a result of the reforms could, in fact, make the position even worse and make it much more difficult to meet the aspirations of tenants regarding the standards of their homes.

The Council therefore believed the most sensible option available was to reaffirm the Cabinet’s previous decision to proceed to a tenant ballot on a large-scale voluntary transfer of the Council’s Housing stock to a not-for-profit, charitable, locally set up, housing association.

However, this isn’t quite the end of the story. Any proposed transfer would be subject to confirmation by the Government that the Council was able to proceed on the basis of the existing rules that apply to transfers.

The Council is currently working closely with the Government to try to ensure the existing rules will apply. Subject to this, preparations can begin for a tenant ballot. A tenant and leaseholder group continues to support the Council in moving this forward.

We will continue to keep you updated. Look out also for further details in the newsletter from your Independent Tenants Advisor.

Click here to read the background to the Housing Options Appraisal. The results of the community consultations, held earlier in the year, can be viewed here: Housing Options Appraisal Update.pdf (68kb) For more information on the Housing Options Appraisal contact Michael Ash on 01793 464410 or by e-mail: mash@swindon.gov.uk

Local Housing Allowance

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Quality Homes for Swindon

Providing a full range of high quality homes to meet the growing needs of the local population

House prices continue to rise in Swindon, resulting in home ownership not being a viable option for many people. A recent housing needs survey estimated that over 800 affordable homes will be required each year, until 2010, to meet local needs.

Swindon Borough Council has been tackling the needs through the following initiatives including:

• Building seven intelligent and green (Integer) homes, in partnership with housing associations, as a demonstration scheme to house-builders
• Building 10% of all new affordable homes as 'Lifetime Homes' which allow adaptations to be made easily, depending on the household's physical needs
• Setting up a home improvement agency, in partnership with Ridgeway Housing Association, enabling older people and those with physical disabilities to remain in their own home
• Completing Isambard House, Swindon's first affordable housing scheme for 'key workers', giving new qualified teachers the opportunity to live and work here

Council Housing in Swindon

The council manages around 10,800 council homes, which includes approximately 1,500 sheltered flats and bungalows for older people, and around 400 flats owned by leaseholders.

Service First

Download Swindon Housing's Customer Service Charter, which sets out our commitment to excellent service.

Housing Customer Service Charter.pdf (477kb)