A major drive has been launched to improve Council Housing throughout the County Borough. Although a significant improvement programme has been introduced over the last few years in order to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), an independent stock condition survey has revealed that an additional £139 million is needed in order to achieve and maintain the Quality Standard over the next 30-years. But the Council will be unable to raise the money required to deliver these improvements.
The Council decided in July 2006, that tenants should be asked to consider the transfer of existing council housing to Merthyr Valleys Homes, a specially created organisation called a Registered Social Landlord. This would be a totally new housing association which would be able to fund the necessary improvements needed to bring all of the homes up to the required standard.
Next month every tenant will be asked to vote if they want this transfer to proceed. Over the last 18-months all of our tenants have been fully consulted and received a considerable amount of information that will help them to decide which way to vote.
Why not stay as we are?
The options appraisal has established that to meet the WHQS by 2012 the Council will need to invest £69 million to make the required improvements. However, the Council will only be able to raise £40 million, (approx two thirds of the amount required). As the Council is currently prevented from borrowing the difference without the Housing Revenue Account going into deficit, the only way to meet the Standard is a possible transfer.
The Assembly Government has made it clear that there will be no more funds available. This situation is not just unique to Merthyr, it applies to every Council in Wales. Tenants of Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, Torfean Council and Newport Council have all decided to transfer their homes to new not-for-profit registered social landlords.
The ballot will give every tenant the chance to decide if they want this transfer to happen, and it will only take place if the majority of tenants say yes. Merthyr Valley Homes will then be able to access the money needed to finish the massive investment programme.
What about Tenancy Conditions?
If tenants vote in favour of transferring to Merthyr Valley Homes, all of your current tenancy rights will be protected.
How can I find out more?
You can contact the Independent Tenant Advisor appointed by a group of tenants who will provide you with the facts and impartial advice.
The Council, our tenants and staff, all face a major challenge to improve all Social housing in Merthyr Tydfil.
The Welsh Assembly Government has recognised that council housing throughout Wales is in need of improvement and introduced the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) to tackle the problems. The standard provides a minimum criteria for Social Housing with a deadline of 2012.
While the Council has previously agreed that it is essential to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by the target date and deliver better quality homes for tenants, plus significant regeneration schemes, the funding needed to achieve and maintain the Standard is greater than the Council will generate over the same period.
The Council has agreed that the only way to meet the Standard in a way that gives tenants control over their homes, safeguards jobs for staff and provides local investment is to ballot tenants on a full transfer of the housing stock to Merthyr Valleys Homes, a new not-for-profit registered social landlord, which has been set up by the Council.
However, it is only with the support of tenants that any transfer could proceed.
For the last eighteen months a major consultation exercise has been carried out with all of our tenants.
In March 2008 an independent ballot will be held to determine if tenants are prepared to accept the Council's position and decide if any possible transfer to Merthyr Valleys Homes can proceed.
The website will contain most of the consultation material that was issued to tenants and staff. If you can't find what you're looking for, or have any questions, please contact us.