Manchester set to bring social housing provider back in-house

Manchester City Council has announced plans to bring Northwards Housing back in-house, following a recent consultation with tenants and leaseholders.

According to the local authority, 93% of the responses from tenants welcomed proposals to bring the management of their homes back under council control for the first time since 2005.

The consultation followed a recent review, which identified a number of weaknesses that needed to be addressed.

The council estimates moving the service back in-house could save it around £77m over the course of the 30-year business plan – money that can be reinvested to improve services for Northwards tenants.

New governance arrangements will also allow tenants to have more of a say about future decisions affecting their homes and their neighbourhoods.

It is hoped that work will begin shortly to bring Northwards back in-house by the summer.

A report into the matter will be heard this week by the council’s economic scrutiny (14 Jan) and the executive committee next week (20 Jan).

‘Northwards Housing has been at the heart of north Manchester communities for 15 years and I would like to thank them for their service to the city,’ said executive member for housing and regeneration, Cllr Suzanne Richards.

‘Our aim when we first established the ALMO was and remains ensuring that we can deliver the best possible service and standards for tenants.

‘In bringing the service back into the Council we are keen to ensure that those areas of best practice, which have had a significant and positive impact on local communities are built upon.
‘This includes work to tackle domestic abuse, the debt management and advice services and the subsidiary organisation (‘YES’) which supports people into jobs and training,’ added Cllr Richards.

‘We will be doing this hand in hand with tenants which is why one of our first priorities over the next few months will be strengthening and amplifying tenant voice – so that tenants are part of shaping the service and priorities going forward.’

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