A trip down memory lane…

from June 2002

Tower Hamlets is offering all estates the opportunity to get involved in setting up a new not-for- profit housing organisation, independent from the Council.

The new community landlord could take over some of the estates in the borough if residents agree.

There has already been interest from some estates in this option. The new organisation could be registered as a single borough-wide body, but allowing individual estates or groups of estates to opt for local control if that is what they wish.

The new organisation would have very significant community representation, with board members chosen or elected by residents and with residents making up the majority on the boards at local level.

Tower Hamlets is offering all estates the opportunity to get involved in setting up a new not-for-profit housing organisation, independent from the Council. The new community landlord could take over some of the estates in the borough if residents agree. There has already been interest from some estates in this option.

The new organisation must be registered as a not-for-profit social landlord with the Housing Corporation, which is the Government body which monitors and regulates all housing associations and similar social landlords. The new landlord could also be registered as a charity.

Estates would be able to choose the new landlord as their preferred partner during stage two of the Housing Choice consultation. “A new organisation would only be appropriate if residents want it,” said Paul Bloss, Assistant Director of Housing. “We will work up initial plans for discussion with the estate steering groups. Their input will be crucial in deciding the final structure and aims of any new social landlord.”

Look out for more information regarding the proposals to set up a new Council-sponsored community landlord in future issues of Openhouse.

This booklet was provided by Eastend Homes and Mile End Community Housing Trust to residents before the vote to decide whether to hand over the Mile End estates to a cabal of council middle managers for no money. Yes nothing.....  They said it was to answer some of the questions people have been asking about what they would do if the free hand over of homes and land went ahead. Have a look here and see what concerns have been dealt with.

“Our aim is to provide high quality homes and housing services to the people who live in this area. We will be accountable to you and will make sure that you have the power to make decisions at a local level about the services you receive.’’
EastendHomes is a new form of resident led Social Landlord that is set up on a not-for profit basis to be registered with the Housing Corporation. EastendHomes will have an Agreement with a number of Community Housing Trusts across the Borough.

A recent FOI request (FOI 12797 Stock Transfer of Housing) has revealed just how much public money Social Landlord Eastend Homes Ltd got when homes & land were transferred (mostly for no cost) during Housing Choice. A waping £107 million from the DCLG was trousered by the council sponsored landlord for transfers between 2005 & 2007

EastendHomes was given money as part of the stock transfer process from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) through the Transfer Programme fund. This funding was provided to do internal and external refurbishment works to the properties (including decent homes works), undertake various estate environmental improvements and a contribution towards developing new homes on these estates where applicable.