by Keith Richmond
Campaign group Defend Council Housing has given a cautious welcome to government proposals, set out in a statement by housing minister John Healey last week, to reform council housing in Britain. But DCH insisted: “The Government must deliver” and is asking for specific guarantees.
DCH said: “This promises councils funds to meet and maintain decent homes and estates in the long term. It commits to the same ‘standards of service’ whether homes are retained or transferred; also, that councils will be able to keep all right-to-buy receipts. If the detailed proposals, due by July 21, deliver on these promises, it will mean real resources for direct investment in council housing.”
But it added: “This settlement has strings attached. Self-financing by local councils, breaking up the national government backed system, is a big risk for tenants. Tenants and housing workers will be exposed to economic changes, faulty business forecasts and councils raiding rents and receipts – or huge rent rises.”
The group wants guarantees that the Government will protect tenants from “business risks” by providing a public sector safety net as part of the agreement; tighten ring fencing of all rents and receipts; protect low rent levels; defend secure tenancies with “no means testing, time limits or two tier tenancies”; and bring in a moratorium on any further privatisation.
by Keith Richmond
Campaign group Defend Council Housing has given a cautious welcome to government proposals, set out in a statement by housing minister John Healey last week, to reform council housing in Britain. But DCH insisted: “The Government must deliver” and is asking for specific guarantees.
DCH said: “This promises councils funds to meet and maintain decent homes and estates in the long term. It commits to the same ‘standards of service’ whether homes are retained or transferred; also, that councils will be able to keep all right-to-buy receipts. If the detailed proposals, due by July 21, deliver on these promises, it will mean real resources for direct investment in council housing.”
But it added: “This settlement has strings attached. Self-financing by local councils, breaking up the national government backed system, is a big risk for tenants. Tenants and housing workers will be exposed to economic changes, faulty business forecasts and councils raiding rents and receipts – or huge rent rises.”
The group wants guarantees that the Government will protect tenants from “business risks” by providing a public sector safety net as part of the agreement; tighten ring fencing of all rents and receipts; protect low rent levels; defend secure tenancies with “no means testing, time limits or two tier tenancies”; and bring in a moratorium on any further privatisation.
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