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Tenants back new landlords

Jeni Harvey
13/10/2005

A MASSIVE 91.7 per cent of voters have chosen to switch the management of Blackley's council homes from Manchester City Council to Northwards Housing.

After a month-long poll, it has been decided that North Manchester's council houses will now be run by the new not-for-profit arms length management organisation (ALMO).

Northwards says it will start to spend an extra £130 million on home improvements next summer once the government gives its final go-ahead. Every home will be improved, with work continuing until 2011. Most tenants will receive new double-glazed windows and a new kitchen or bathroom, while other upgrades will depend on the needs of each individual home.

Councillor Eddy Newman said: "The voting figures show how strongly local people back the changes.

"The result means that every north Manchester council tenant can look forward to living in a home that meets modern standards in a better, safer environment.

"Northwards Housing will also continue and build upon the excellent work already taking place to build safer, sustainable communities and protect people from the bad behaviour of a thoughtless minority.

"The massive cash injection, local management, and the support of the Council on wider issues, means tenants will share in the big upturn in North Manchester's fortunes."

Tenant Joan Fitzgerald, a Northwards Housing Board Member, said: "I'd like to thank the tenants of North Manchester for putting their trust in Northwards Housing.

"We'll be working hard to improve North Manchester for the benefit of tenants and residents and playing our part in making it a better place to live."