The Government says that all Council homes should meet the Decent Home Standard by 2010. This basic standard says a home must be “wind and weather tight, warm and have modern facilities”.Government funding to meet the ‘decent homes’ standard ended in March this year. Although all homes meet the Decent Home Standard in Oldham there is not enough money to pay for longer-term investment and management costs Therefore the Council has needed to look at different ways of financing the future housing service
To identify the best ways of bringing in additional investment for the future and to find out priorities of tenants the Options Appraisal Team carried out a six months study including a stock condition survey of over 3000 properties, face to face consultation, a questionnaire, and a full review of housing finance. Tenants were asked to give their views on their homes, their neighbourhoods and the services they received.
To see a copy of the latest tenants newsletter (issue two) please click here
For the summary consultation report please click here
Tenants are currently being invited to local information sessions and a Tenants Conference on the 6 October where they will be involved and consulted about future options for the management of Council housing that are being considered.
To see a copy of the invitation letter sent to tenants please click here
For more details about the local sessions please click here
For more information about the the Tenants Conference please click here
Following these events the steering group or ‘Housing Options Panel’, which is made up of five councillors, five staff representatives from First Choice Homes Oldham and six tenant representatives will make its recommendations to the Council on 9 November.
The Council will make a decision on the appraisal in December 2008.
You can contact the Options Appraisals Team directly on the details below.
Phone: Freephone 0800 074 0680
Fax: 0161 770 4855
Email: options.appraisal@oldham.gov.uk
Postal: Options Appraisal Team, Oldham Council, Level 11, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UW
Opening hours - 9.00am – 5.00pm
Please note for for repairs, caretaking and so on tenants should contact First Choice Homes Oldham on 0161 770 6699.
Frequently asked questions about Housing Options Appraisal
Updated: JH 11/2008