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Housing chiefs back tenants
THE housing minister and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government have backed the tenants and leaseholders of two housing estates in bitter row with the council.
John Healey and John Denham addressed Hammersmith and Fulham residents at a House of Commons meeting to tell them that the Government is supporting their bid to regulate the Section 34A of the Housing Act 1985 after they served a 'notice to quit' on the council so the residents can manage their own homes.
Civil servants are considering submissions from both sides after the residents invited the Secretary of State to draw up regulations requiring the local authority to cooperate with their proposal to cede the management of their estates to a resident controlled private registered provider.
The residents in West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates - many of them professionals including an architect and an engineer - learnt that Hammersmith and Fulham Council has been in talks with a developer discussing a scheme to demolish their estates for a mixed tenure plan of luxury homes and social housing with increased density.
Mr Healey told the packed meeting at the commons on January 13: "The West Ken and Gibbs Green tenants are the first in the country to tell their council formally that they want to take over their homes for themselves. I know that you are doing that, unfortunately, because you do not trust the council.
"That's why the campaign that you are involved in is so important. It serves as a warning to eight million council and housing association tenants across the country.
"That's why I am here to support you and that's why John Denham is here to support you."
Mr Denham told the eighty residents' representatives that they were in the vanguard of the battle for decent affordable homes, and that a Tory government would spread Hammersmith & Fulham's policies across the country.
He added: "I just want to reinforce how much is at stake in the campaign you are running.
"You have the misfortunate to live in a council area where the leader of the council is not just the leader of your council. He is at the right hand of David Cameron in plotting out policies for local government and housing."
The plans to demolish 3,500 homes on seven estates in the borough and remove security of tenure from all social housing tenants were revealed by Labour Andy Slaughter MP who obtained details under the Freedom of Information FoI Act.
A further FoI request showed that £14.3million has been spent on the estates over the last 10 years, including ongoing work for the Decent Homes programme.
The meeting also heard speeches from Hammersmith & Fulham opposition leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan, GLA member Nicky Gavron, housing consultant Jonathan Rosenberg who is advising the tenants, Les Jackson of White City Estate, Maureen Way of West Kensington Estate and Desiree Briscoe-Mcleary of Queen Caroline Estate.
A council spokesman said: "The council and H&F Homes are working with residents on ways we can ensure homes on the estate and the overall housing environment will be up to the standard people expect in years to come.
"We want to tackle overcrowding and build more affordable homes so that people living in the estate and their children can stay living in the area.
"While the council is happy to work with residents on any issues around estate management, we feel at this time that the considerable opportunities that could be realised from redevelopment, including new homes, jobs, health and leisure facilities, should be explored further.
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Hammersmith&Kensington
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