Six Town Housing Invests and Improves

Six Town Housing is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) set up in April 2005 to manage Bury MBC’s housing stock. Local MP’s David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis have been fully supportive of the ALMO since its inception. The Company has a Board of non executive directors made up of tenants, councillors and independent members who have developed a clear vision for the organisation. As a result we are investing additional Government funding to improve the condition and quality of the Council’s housing stock and tenants lives.

Following a successful Audit Commission inspection in October 2005, Six Town Housing achieved recognition for delivering a good, “2 star” service with promising prospects for improvement, as a result we have been able to unlock the potential £27.02 million of additional funding. Almost £8.64 million has been spent already and a further £7.9 million is due to be invested in 2007/8. This additional investment doubles what would usually be spent in any one year in Bury, and is spent on new roofs, new kitchens and bathrooms, improvements to heating and insulation, new doors and windows. All works are delivered to the highest standard and contribute to improved energy efficiency, saving tenants’ money on heating and hot water. Works are also undertaken on environmental projects to further improve tenants’ quality of life. Partnership is key to Six Town Housing’s success – the strong partnership with the Council is essential to ensuring that joint aims and ambitions are delivered across the Borough – particularly successful has been a shared approach to Community Safety and tackling Anti Social Behaviour.

Even more important is the partnership with tenants, demonstrated through successful Tenants’ Conferences, close working relationships with Tenant and Resident Groups, tenant representation on working groups, and manifesting its success in a 5% increase in tenant satisfaction in a six month period in 2006. These partnerships point to a bright future for Six Town Housing and its tenants in creating sustainable communities where people want to live and have a real pride in their homes and the area they live in.