Homes revamp leads to third worst rating

Figures distorted by Oldham’s massive improvement project

Work on Oldham’s massive contract to improve all sheltered homes pushed the borough into third worst place for empty social housing properties.

In April, 2008, Government figures show 572 social housing homes were empty for more than six months, 2.9 per cent of the 20,044 housing stock.

But 480 of them were within the Private Finance Initiative contract, the largest PFI in the country.

The contract is worth £400 million over 30 years.

There were 400 homes needing work, 61 under refurbishment and 19 to be demolished.

The revelation came as the top 20 worst authorities with the highest proportion of its social dwelling stock empty for long periods were named and shamed by Communities Minister Ian Austin.

Oldham Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services defended the figures and said: “At that time, the council was in the middle of the largest PFI sheltered scheme in the country which will see the transformation, through construction and refurbishment, of 1,452 homes.

“It is established practice, in accordance with Government guidance, to keep properties empty in cases where major works are planned.

“Furthermore, in order to avoid elderly tenants suffering disruption while major construction works are undertaken, they were offered the opportunity to move to alternative accommodation while these took place.

“This meant a pool of empty properties was made available for tenants at convenient locations. Once the contract is complete in 2011, the number of void properties will dramatically reduce.”

At the same time, out of all 12,500 other council houses managed by First Choice Homes, there were only 62 empty homes, some ready to be demolished, others where work was under way.

Middlesbrough was the worst performing authority with 4.5 per cent of its total social housing stock remaining empty for more than six months and Walsall second with 3.1 per cent.

Mr Austin added: “The reasons for homes becoming and remaining vacant are varied, ranging from an over supply of accommodation, the redevelopment of an area to the standard of accommodation and in some circumstances individual failure to maintain a property in good repair. Numbers of empty properties within local authorities should not therefore be seen as a reflection of the approach by local authorities to tackle these issues.”