Latest figures show that over one million local authority homes in England have transferred to housing associations. The milestone was reached as transfers in Pendle, Sefton and West Wythenshawe completed at the end of October.
Sheffield City Council completed the transfer of its homes in Wisewood, Wadsley and Loxley, to Pennine Housing 2000. Tenants voted in favour of transfer (76%), in July 2006.
The transfer marked the Council's second stock transfer since the extensive consultation in 2003 and 2004 that gave local tenants the opportunity to decide the best approach to secure the future of their individual estates.
Work on the estates to reach the decent homes standard required by 2010 will include new kitchens, bathrooms, new central heating, and double glazing. Tenants will also benefit from extra improvements, including living room fires and surrounds, new front and back doors, and modern door entry systems for flats.
In addition, tenants can join local scheme panels to help decide how £1m of investment can be spent across the estates. For example, tenants might seek to incorporate the provision of further improvements on the estates, such as hard standings or driveways.
Pennine Housing will also improve the environment and safety on the estates. This may be achieved by improving pavements and grass verges, by improving street lighting, and tree management.
Information Note:Sheffield council tenants living on the five estates in and around the Manor Castle area received their ballot papers around the middle of November. They have four weeks to register their vote - either by post, text, or phone.
If tenants vote in favour of the transfers, 3,079 homes across five estates will move from council ownership to the housing association selected, being:
South Kesteven Council's tenants voted overwhelmingly against the transfer of their 6,300 homes to South Lincolnshire Homes. Of the 4,791 tenants who voted, 3,494 (73.2%) were against the transfer.
Tenants of Highland Council voted against the transfer of their homes to Highland Housing Association. In the ballot, run by Electoral Reform Services, 6,060 (59.7%) residents voted 'no' to stock transfer, with 4,097 in favour.
Highland Council will now draw up detailed plans to deliver the investment that is needed to bring all of its houses up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
The 'no' vote also means the Council's housing debt will stand, and rents will need to increase by more than inflation to fund the required improvements.
Monmouthshire Council's tenants voted by 60% to 40% in favour of transferring their 3,600 homes to a new organisation called Monmouthshire Housing. This will lead to in excess of £48 million being invested in the stock by 2012.
Council tenants in Rhondda Cynon Taff voted in favour of transferring their 10,500 homes to RCT Homes - a new local, not-for-profit organisation, which will be set up by the Council. The vote will lead to £170 million being invested in homes and services, to bring homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2012.
Tenants in Swansea were being presented with the various arguments on proposals that would mean the transfer of their homes to a new type of Community Housing Mutual, called Tawe Housing. The proposal would unlock £371 million investment in homes and services in the first 10 years. The Council, by contrast, could only invest £176 million over the same period of time. The date of the vote has yet to be confirmed.