Mass housing stock transfer halted

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

A huge housing stock transfer has been halted in Scotland.

West Dunbartonshire Council had planned to transfer half of its 10,500 homes to a housing association, but will now retain them and invest cash to make them fit for the 21st century.

The move was agreed at a council meeting after councillors considered a range of options that would enable the Council’s housing stock to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

The Council will now invest approximately £95 million into improving the standard of its homes so they are fit for the 21^st century.

Tenants will have to contribute towards the cost of improving their homes with rents estimated to increase annually by around 7% for the next five years.

In addition demolition of surplus stock at Bellsmyre, Glenside and North Mountblow will proceed.

The Council had previously planned to hold an independent ballot in September asking tenants to vote on transferring up to 5,000 homes to local housing associations.

Councillor McBride added: “This is a really positive decision by the Council which is in the best interests of our valued tenants. It was by no means certain that tenants were going to vote for partial stock transfer and a no vote would have delayed essential housing improvements and prevented us meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standards by 2015.  

“There were also concerns over the lack of regeneration investment associated with the existing bids, continuing uncertainty on rent levels and fears over council job losses. This decision answers all those questions and ensures that West Dunbartonshire Council will be a major housing provider for the next 30 years at least.

“We recognise that there are real challenges and opportunities ahead for this Council but we have the capacity and determination to overcome the obstacles and deliver the improvements in the quality of our housing.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those tenant groups and individuals who have engaged with the Council in recent years on the partial stock transfer process. Your valuable feedback, comments and views will still be important in shaping how this Council manages its housing stock in future years.

“I’d also like to thank all the staff who have worked so hard in a short period of time to prepare a detailed report that set out the options the Council had available, and allowed us to take an important decision that will ensure we achieve the SHQS standard by 2015.”