This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Glasgow tenants vote 'Yes' in transfer ballot
05/04/2002
Glasgow council tenants have voted in favour of the transfer of the council's housing stock to the Glasgow Housing Association.
The result announced by Electoral Reform Ballot Services, the independent organisation commissioned to undertake the ballot, stated that 58% of the tenants who had returned their ballot papers voted in favour of transfer. A total of 50,082 votes were cast by post over the last three weeks - a turnout of 64.4%.
Minister for Social Justice Iain Gray said that warm, dry homes, fit for the 21 st century will become a reality for Glasgow's 77,808 council tenants, as he welcomed the result of the ballot in Glasgow City Chambers.
Iain Gray said:
"I am delighted that tenants have now had their say and voted for the proposal to transfer the council's housing stock to the not for profit Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). This is a giant leap towards achieving community ownership that will give tenants a greater say in the management and development of their homes and communities.
"Tenants can now look forward to the good quality, affordable housing, so vital if we are to tackle head on poverty, ill health and disadvantage. The GHA, over the next eleven years, will transform crumbling damp houses into attractive modern homes and many new houses will be built to replace those that will be demolished. For the first time ever tenants' rent levels will be guaranteed for years to come. In addition, we aim to create thousands of training and work opportunities in the construction industry as the GHA's investment programme gets underway.
"Today, we have heard the voice of tenants. Now there is a great deal of work to be done, both in the run up to transfer and in getting the investment programme underway. The GHA and the council will take this work forward to deliver the best possible deal for tenants in Scotland's largest city".
The GHA will be registered with and regulated by Communities Scotland (previously Scottish Homes) which is directly accountable to Scottish Executive ministers. The GHA will be obliged to comply with Communities Scotland performance standards and this includes the requirement to keep rents affordable.