Preston has 7300 homes, three-quarters of which do not meet the decent homes standard. It plans a transfer as a way to attract investment.
In a community gateway, the council hands its stock to a registered social landlord, as in conventional transfers. But the organisation has already formed a contractual agreement with tenants that commits it to increasing resident empowerment. A strategy with targets would set out the new landlord’s goals.
Residents then take as much control over their local housing as they wish, through management agreements, co-ops or other formal methods.
The model is underpinned by open membership of the central landlord, using £1 shares. The tenant and resident board members will be elected, as will council representatives, from a slate of candidates. Members will ratify the choice of independent board members.
Preston housing director Peter Deacon said: “We have been involved for some time in the preliminary work being carried out. The council has now made a major decision in principle and we will need to develop a wide range of follow-up work over the next 12-18 months.”
The community gateway idea is under theoretical development by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Confederation of Co-op Housing. The two organisations are doing research into a legal framework which will help set the Preston initiative rolling.
CIH policy analyst Mark Lupton added: “We are developing a legal framework that will satisfy the Housing Corporation and lenders. Future transfers will need to change the relationship between landlord and tenant, and focus more on resident empowerment.”
Source
Housing Today
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