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HANDOVER OF WESTERN ISLES HOUSING TO COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP

Tenants in the Western Isles will now have more investment and control over their homes with the transfer of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar housing stock to the Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP).

Following a successful community ownership ballot late last year the official move to the new registered social landlord takes place today.

The transfer was approved by Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm after Communities Scotland carried out a full appraisal of the business merits of the proposal.

The move means that the Comhairle’s housing debt of £38 million has been written off by the Treasury and £12.5 million for new affordable housing has been made available. This will provide 275 new homes across the area.

In addition to this tenants will also benefit from rents which are restricted to the annual rate of inflation plus one per cent.

The Hebridean Housing Partnership is managed by a board made up of five tenant and five community representatives as well as five appointees made by the Comhairle.

Mr Chisholm said:

“I am delighted that the transfer has now taken place.

“This is really good news not only for tenants who voted a resounding ‘yes’, but for all of the Western Isles for the new homes it will bring.

“It means rent increases are pegged, much higher investment, more direct tenant control and better services.

“Many areas of Scotland are already enjoying the benefits of community ownership. Over the next few months, tenants in Highland, Inverclyde, Stirling and Renfrewshire will also have the chance to cast their vote for a better future.

“These four ballots offer golden opportunities. I would urge tenants in these areas to seize them.”

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s chairman of housing, councillor Norman M. Macleod, added:

“I am delighted that we have now secured final agreement on the stock transfer and the legal agreements have been signed off.

This will bring major benefits to tenants in the Western Isles, allowing the housing debt to be written off and money instead invested in improvements for tenants of Hebridean Housing Partnership. In addition, this agreement will lead to much needed new social housing in the Western Isles.

“The Comhairle looks forward to working with HHP and to a bright future for Western Isles tenants.”

Hebridean Housing Partnership chairman, George Lonie, said:

“This is a new start for housing in the Western Isles and represents the biggest-ever investment in social housing in the Islands.

“I am looking forward to exciting times ahead but there is a lot of hard work to be undertaken. We will now turn our attention to delivering on our commitments to work with tenants to modernise existing homes and deliver improved housing services.

“Improvements will not just be to the fabric of tenants’ homes but we shall also build on the Comhairle’s excellent work in involving tenants in key decisions. HHP will work in particular with tenant representatives to ensure services meet tenant priorities.

“HHP also plans to build 40 to 50 new houses for rent every year for the next five years to help meet the shortage of affordable houses in the islands. This will also provide much-needed employment in the construction sector of the local economy.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Following conditional approval a ballot was conducted between 3 and 28 October 2005 which was open to all the tenants of the Comhairle. The result of the ballot was 69 per cent of those who voted agreeing to the transfer.

2. The programme of works proposed by the Hebridean Housing Partnership will result in all houses which are transferred meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

3. The Hebridean Housing Partnership is governed by a board of 15 members. Three membership groups make up the board. These are a group of five tenant members, five community members and five Comhairle-appointed members. HHP will also establish four area committees across the Western Isles each with nine members, five of whom will be tenants.

4. There are currently six local authorities, including the Comhairle, on the Community Ownership Programme:

* Following a successful ballot in December Argyll and Bute tenants will see their homes transfer ownership later this year;

* Renfrewshire Council and Stirling Council tenants will vote on community ownership proposals shortly;

* Inverclyde Council and Highland Council will vote on community ownership proposals in November this year.

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.