This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
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.