Make room for a housing honour

Photo: Picture: Guardian/James Young

WELL done . . . (from left) Jeremy Vine, Bryonie Shaw (Oldham Council’s head of housing needs) and Suzanne Barrows, of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

OLDHAM Council has won a national award for a scheme that frees up much-needed family houses.

At a glittering ceremony in London, the authority was awarded the prestigious Guardian Public Services Award for the Downsizing Scheme.

It helps tenants of social landlords who are under-occupying their home to move to a smaller property. The scheme — run in partnership with Oldham Housing Investment Partnership — won the Housing and Regeneration award, sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Housing, in the Service Delivery section.

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who hosted the awards evening, said: “Since January, 2009, Oldham’s Council’s Downsizing Scheme has helped to free up nearly 100 family homes, which have subsequently been allocated to severely overcrowded households.

“Depending on their needs, those that have downsized have also benefited by moving into newly refurbished sheltered housing, provided by Housing 21.”

David Brindle, The Guardian’s public services editor, said: “It’s been a tough year for all public services, yet this year’s winners prove that excellence continues to thrive, despite even tougher times ahead on the horizon.

“The judges were impressed with the high standard of entries received in this category, however, as lack of family housing is one of the biggest challenges faced in the sector, it was Oldham’s Downsizing Scheme that shone out as the clear winner.

“In particular, the judges praised how this potentially controversial scheme is handled sensitively through a dedicated officer who tailors a support package to the individual needs of the tenant.”