Future of Council Housing in Kingston
In early 2009 an independent organisation, PPCR Associates, undertook a housing options appraisal (on behalf of Housing Services) with tenants and leaseholders across the borough to look at the future of council housing and to find out the views of tenants and leaseholders about what should happen. In all over 2000 tenants and leaseholders gave their views in surveys, meetings, online and by text.
The main points that were made were:
- Nine out of ten of tenants and leaseholders believe that the condition of council homes was the biggest housing issue in Kingston - particularly maintenance and repairs.
- Some of you thought that the service you received had got worse over the last three to four years following cuts the Council has had to make in services. Despite this, the majority felt that the service had stayed about the same.
- Equally, although many of you were dissatisfied with the condition of your home, over half said you were satisfied. The things valued the most about a council tenancy are security and having a decent place to live.
- The major improvements needed were thought to be doors and windows, followed by kitchens and bathrooms.
- There is widespread knowledge that a third of the rent you pay is taken from the Council by the Government to be used in other parts of the country.
- Looking to the future, there are some important messages from residents - nearly nine out of ten want things to change and said that the Council should explore all options to improve and maintain homes in Kingston. But there is no agreement yet on what that change should be.
- When asked if you would support a Housing Stock Transfer to another landlord, such as that proposed in 2004, only a minority of you said you would support this and many were against it.
- However, there was evidence from the surveys that you might support a Stock Transfer in the future if you could get guarantees about rents, security of tenure and improvements to your home.
Councillor Penny Shelton, Executive Member for Housing said: I want to thank all the residents who took part in this major consultation exercise. We all agree that things need to change but there is no consensus yet on how we do this. We recognise that if you were asked to vote today, you would not support a Housing Stock Transfer and we will not go ahead with a ballot at this time.”
However we can’t sit back and watch the condition of our homes deteriorate further. Over the next few months we will keep talking to residents and the Government about what can be done to bring council homes up to modern standards.”
Councillors on the Council’s Executive Committee considered the results on Tuesday 7 July and it was decided that a transfer of Kingston’s Housing Stock would not go ahead at this time.