Council housing safeguards sought
Defend Council Housing is seeking safeguards over proposals to reform council housing outlined by housing minister John Healey.
DCH welcomes a commitment to the ‘same standards of service’ whether homes are retained or transferred and that councils will be able to keep all right-to-buy receipts.
The group says: “If the detailed proposals, due by 21 July, deliver on these promises, it will mean real resources for direct investment in council housing.”
But it says that 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. We need cast-iron guarantees and safeguards.”
They include:
- Protection against business risks to tenants’ homes and rent by providing a public-sector safety net as part of the self-financing agreement
- Tightening local ring fencing of all council housing rents and receipts
- Protecting low rent levels
DCH is also demanding:
- ‘Secure’ tenancies - no means testing, time limits or two-tier tenancies
- Interim measures and funding immediately as a proof of good faith
- A moratorium on any further privatisation and expensive stock options appraisals
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