Housing AssociationsA way to improve the inner city

DefinitionA non profit making organisation set up to provide rented accommodation

The purpose of Housing Associations

They were set up in the 1970’s as an alternative to council housing.

They were created to provide rented accommodation in a non profit making capability.

In the 1980’s the role of housing took over from council housing.

Housing AssociationsRents were fixed by independent officers and any short falls were subsidised by the government.

The councils are encourage to borrow capital from private investors to seek a return on their housing investment.

Subsidies are still available for some areas, which enables them to charge low rent.

Financial Government has been made available by central government.

How do they get hold of the houses?

They either borrow capital to build houses or buy existing stock e.g. council houses.

They receive government subsidies and are able to provide housing at a low cost.

Right to Buy

The properties have been refurbished.

Housing Associations are subject to the right to buy legislation with council owned property.

One way in which they have assisted in this is in the purchasing of empty properties.

Shared OwnershipThis is where the purchaser pays for a proportion or value of the house.

The housing association pays the rest of the price, and then the purchaser pays rent for the proportion of the house.

BenefitsSome Housing Associations also offer furniture rental packages where basic furniture is available on a rental system.

It encourages home ownership. In the long term people may be able to opt to buy.

The council is able to initiate the development of home ownership in an area where this is not the norm.

Stockbridge housing AssociationLocation, Location, Location:

On the eastern edge of Liverpool. The estate was built as part of the slum clearance in the city centres.

The estate was typical housing redeveloped at the time.

Stockbridge Housing AssociationThe Aims of the trust:

Demolish the most unpopular and unsafe buildings.

Refurbish the remaining housing stock.

Develop new private housing for sale or to rent.

Redevelop the service provision of the estate, in particular shopping and leisure facilities.

ProblemsThe redevelopment was not as fast as they had hoped for.

The cost of refurbishment was double (£6,700) the cost that had been estimated (£3,200).

The cost of redeveloping the shopping centre was predicted to be £2million and it actually hit over £6 million.

Only a small number of private homes have been sold.

Two main problems

These were subject to the Fair rents legislation.

Incomes were so low that few people could afford to buy the homes.

The high interest rates caused concerns at the time. The national government was required to step in.

Additional FundingThe council had to pay an extra £5million along with the environmental agency.

1987The housing stock had been refurbished

250 new houses have been built for rent

A private construction company built and sold 125 houses.

The Shopping centre was built

Work was started on a leisure centre.

The demolition of high rise flats

1990’sThe objectives of the trust were continued as well as its housing programme.

A further 250 new homes were constructed, some for rent and some for shared ownership.

Private developers were also encouraged into the area.

The management of the housing associations was to ensure the collaboration between the public and private investment.

Success Criteria

The objectives have been achieved

The quality of the area has improved.

The out migration has been reduced.

Home ownership has increased.

The concern over the up keep of the quality of the property exists.

Personal incomes are below the national average and as a result there is a reluctance of individuals to invest larges sums of their own money in home improvements.

Stockbridge House for sale• spacious 4 bedroom end townhouse situated within a popular residential location. benefits include double glazing,

central heating, fitted kitchen, new modern bathroom suite, laminate flooring throughout.Accommodation comprises of Entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen, downstairs cloakroom, 4 bedrooms & combined bathroom/wc. we recommend an early inspection of this spacious family home.

Entrance Hall Stairs to first floor.

Lounge Spacious Lounge, laminate flooring, opening to dining room.

Dining Room Laminate flooring, French doors to rear garden.

Kitchen Fitted kitchen with built in oven hob & hood, ceramic tiled floor.

Bedroom 1 Laminate wood flooring

Bedroom 2 Laminate wood flooring

Bedroom 3 Laminate wood flooring

Bedroom 4 Laminate wood flooring

Bathroom Modern white bathroom suite with corner bath, corner shower. ceramic wall & floor tiles.

Front Garden Large front garden with driveway for 3 vehicles.

Rear Garden rear garden lawn, patio area, brick built shed, raised fishpond.

Web sites

• http://www.morethanjustalandlord.com/hsgservices.html - Housing Association