02 March 2007
Brighton and Hove City Council faces major problems raising at least £100m to improve its homes after tenants voted three to one against transfer to a housing association.
Don Turner, chair of the Brighton's housing committee, admitted other services would be affected as the council tries to find other ways to bring its 12,500 properties up to the decent homes standard by 2010. Had the transfer gone ahead, £195m could have been spent on repairs and improvements, he said.
But following a strong campaign by Defend Council Housing, 77% of voting tenants opposed the transfer. The turnout was 62%.
Turner said the authority faced 'enormous financial difficulties' raising the minimum sum required. but would not rush into decisions, and would consult staff and tenants.
Alan Walter, chair of DCH, urged the council to campaign for direct investment in housing rather than cut services.
In Tower Hamlets, a tenants' group has won a judicial review that is stalling the council's plans to transfer more than 2,000 homes to a new landlord.
PFmar2007
