Preston council has become the first to set up a new model of housing association designed to give more power to tenants.

Tenants voted in favour of the Community Gateway scheme last month. Under the system, tenants are shareholders and the association is bound to them by a contract. More than 80% of those who voted in the postal ballot opted to transfer nearly 7000 Preston properties to the new association – 56.9% of eligible voters took part.

The association plans to spend £80m on repairs and modernisation and has chosen Barclays Bank to fund its plans. It became the first association in 16 years to arrange its funding before a ballot. The association will take control of properties in autumn this year.

Preston will become one of the first councils to benefit from the government’s £180m pot to renovate properties worth less than the cost of refurbishment. The government could provide up to £31.2m over 30 years, with about £50m coming from Barclays.

Community Gateway’s board comprises seven members elected by tenants, and is designed to give residents more freedom to determine their own futures.

Rose Kinsella, acting chair of the shadow board of the Community Gateway Association, said: “The result is fantastic news for tenants but, in many ways, the hard work starts now. By working together, tenants can make a real difference to our homes and our communities.”

Source

Housing Today