New approaches to tackling what tenants have told us are their priorities have been agreed today (Tuesday 27 January).
Council home tenants have told us that tackling anti-social behaviour, preventing damp and mould, and improving communal areas are among their top priorities.
This feedback has informed 3 policies that apply to all council tenants, each of which has had input from tenant and landlord groups:
- Damp and Mould Policy - to continue the process of proactively identifying, preventing, and addressing damp and mould issues to safeguard tenant health and wellbeing
- Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy - clarifying responsibilities between landlord and tenant, and covering domestic abuse and hate crime
- Housing Tenancy Policy - setting out types of tenancy and confirming rules on succession, mutual exchange and joint tenancies
In addition, a Neighbourhood Improvement Programme (NIP) has been agreed to improve public spaces and help reduce ASB on estates made up predominantly of council homes.
The NIP projects totalling £402,000 to be approved, include:
- £250,000 for Walmgate area priorities
- £40,000 to fund equipment for community use and for repairs highlighted during estate walkabouts
- £10,000 for The Groves Residents’ Association to inform future NIP funding proposals
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities at City of York, said:
Our tenants are at the heart of all we do.
"Their homes are central to their wellbeing and, working with them, it is our duty to maintain and improve the houses, apartments and bungalows according to our roles and responsibilities.
“This suite of new and clear policies will help council officers and tenants to understand their roles and responsibilities, and the procedures and standards they can expect. Thank you to everyone who has been involved. I look forward to working with the teams as they implement these strategies and policies and see the improvements they will make.”
The Combined Executive Member Decision Session was held on Tuesday 27 January when all 4 reports were accepted.