Stroud District Council plans to establish a housing association if its tenants vote for stock transfer later this year.
The transfer of Stroud's 5500-unit stock would allow the £35.5m investment the homes need if they are to meet the decent homes standard in 2010.

The council had applied to join the government's transfer list for 2003/04, but was undecided on whether to create an independent registered social landlord or transfer to an existing group. The council was advised by Savills that its stock was too large to be directly absorbed by an existing RSL. Then, after tenants endorsed the independent model in March, the council cabinet approved the idea on 24 April.

Jon Shaw, head of housing strategy, said: "Local people wanted to keep their destiny in their own hands. The fear with a group structure was that resources could be redirected to other part of the group." He said the costs for both systems would be similar.

Three-quarters of the 83 tenants who expressed a preference at the conference supported the creation of an independent RSL.

The council will meet on 15 May to discuss the legal form for the RSL and nominate the shadow board.

Source

Housing Today