Residents living on the Stockwell Park and Robsart estates in Stockwell entered a new era when ownership of their homes transferred from Lambeth Council to Community Trust Housing. Tenants and leaseholders previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of the transfer, with 79% of those eligible to vote saying 'yes' to the transfer option.
Community Trust Housing is part of the Network Housing Group and has a board of twelve people, seven of which will be filled by resident representatives.
The transfer of the estates and street properties will enable major refurbishment works to take place; these are expected to exceed the Decent Homes Standards. The transfer brings with it a £36 million refurbishment programme and a £36 million redevelopment scheme. There will also be a further £1 million available for school places, upgrading parks, community facilities, expansion of the Primary Care Trust services, and works to roads.
Around £35 million worth of improvements are on their way for Harborough District Council homes, after tenants voted in favour of transfer to new-formed Seven Locks Housing.
A total of 76.4% of tenants who took part voted in favour of Seven Locks Housing taking control of their homes. The turnout was 78% (1,800 tenants). The formal decision to transfer still has to be made by the Council and the Government's consent is needed, but a 'yes' vote from tenants means the way is paved for a huge investment in social housing provision in the district.
The result was announced at the end of a 28-day postal ballot carried out by The Electoral Reform Services Ltd.
The newly created Riverside Housing South East Division - part of the Riverside Group - took over the management of 3,456 homes formerly run by English Churches Housing Group (ECHG).
Based at Admirals Park, Crossways, Dartford, the new landlord is welcoming tenants across Suffolk, Essex, London, the Home Counties, Bristol and the Welsh Borders - with a pledge to provide better value for money, work more closely on community projects and improve service standards.
Taking over as Director of Riverside Housing South East Division will be Sasha Harrison, who moves from West Kent Housing Association, where she played a key role in leading that organisation to a 3-star Audit Commission rating.
ECHG joined the Riverside Group - one of the country's leading social housing providers - in a merger finalised in March.
Under the agreement, which aims to protect and develop the quality of tenant services in the long term, ECHG has retained its name and become a Riverside Group subsidiary specialising in sheltered and supported housing for elderly, homeless and vulnerable people.
Among other country-wide changes, ECHG's general needs homes have been transferred to other parts of the Riverside Group, including the creation of the new business unit of Riverside Housing called Riverside South East Division.