This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Glasgow council backs housing transfer
12/02/2002
Glasgow City Council's Policy and Resources Committee today backed proposals that will see the city's housing stock transferred to the not-for-profit Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).
Welcoming the decision as a significant step forward, Social Justice Minister Iain Gray said:
"I am delighted that Glasgow City Council has given these proposals their backing. If the First Minister gives his approval next week and if tenants vote yes in the ballot in March they will see greater investment, not only in their housing, but in the wider community.
"No longer will half their rent money be used to pay off the Council's historical debt. Transfer to the GHA will bring tenants warm dry homes, modern kitchens and bathrooms.
"The creation of Local Housing Organisations to provide local management following transfer means that tenants will have a much greater say in the future management of their homes and communities."
GHA is a new, not-for-profit organisation, created specifically to own and manage the Council housing stock of over 80,000 houses. Tenants, the Council and the wider community are all represented on the Association's Board of Management. On transfer GHA will be subject to regulation by Scotland's new housing and regeneration agency, Communities Scotland (formerly Scottish Homes) which is answerable to Scottish Ministers.
As well as Glasgow, three other local authorities in Scotland are progressing proposals for the transfer to community ownership of all of their housing stock. These councils are: Dumfries and Galloway, Borders and Shetland Islands.
The First Minister's consent to transfer is required. Before giving consent, certain statutory consultation processes have to be completed and proposals appraised in order to demonstrate that they represent value for money.