Housing Futures

Achieving the Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and beyond

In 2003, a Sustainable Communities Plan was issued by the government. It required Councils to analyse the service we provide and look in detail at how we manage, maintain, own and fund our stock. All local housing authorities were expected to carry out an options appraisal of how to achieve the decent homes target, for sign off by the Government Office for London by July 2005.

In response to the government's target to ensure all social housing meets Decent Homes Standard by 2010, we set up the Housing Futures project to assess the future of our housing stock.

A stock condition survey was carried out which is an assessment of the housing stock to provide accurate and robust stock condition/investment information that identifies the level of expenditure required to bring all properties up to the Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and beyond.

To achieve this standard and deliver all the improvements required, we submitted a Stock Options Appraisal bid to Communities and Local Government in July 2005. The bid was approved by the government and the following options will deliver decent homes.

Private Finance Initiative

Housing Private Finance Initiative can provide additional funding and should enable us to bring high rise blocks in worse condition up to the Decent Homes Standard by 2010.

Retaining 16,500 properties

Using our own resources should enable us to bring the retained stock up to the Decent Homes Standard by 2010.

Regeneration projects

The Lintons
London Road/North Street
Gascoigne Estate
Eastern End of Thames View Estate
Cadiz Court

The future of housing in Barking and Dagenham

We aspire to achieve improvements across the borough that raises the quality of life for all residents and provide access to affordable decent housing for all.

What is Decent Homes?

The Housing Futures project will make sure we reach the government's 2010 Decent Homes Standard and provide safe and secure homes that are energy efficient and stand in good environmental surroundings.

Having decent homes is all a part of creating communities free from poor housing and poor environments.

The Housing Futures project is in the implementation phase. The months and years ahead will be challenging. The positives are that frameworks being put in place such as creating an Asset Investment Vehicle to manage the housing investment programmes will provide a plan that is deliverable and offers real opportunities to make homes decent and to promote sustainable and cohesive communities in the borough.

The Housing Futures project has broad links and examines all regeneration initiatives and joint partnership working such as the Barking Town Centre scheme that will deliver a more sustainable community by assessing the health, wealth and well-being of our residents.

Tenant involvement

We continue to consult tenants through different consultation channels, Housing Futures Resident Forum, residents associations, Tenants Federation, Community Housing Partnership, consultation events and surveys on the wants, needs and expectations of all stakeholders and interested groups.

We are committed to working together with all of our communities to keep them involved in the decision-making process.

Independent Tenants Adviser|

The Independent Tenants Adviser was appointed by residents in 2004 to help promote the options available to Barking and Dagenham tenants and leaseholders in an independent capacity. The Independent Tenants' Adviser acted as a critical friend and supported tenants and leaseholders during the options appraisal process from 2004 - July 2005.

Stock Condition Survey|

This explains the role of the Stock Condition Survey and will show how important the information is that it provides.

Other Surveys|

Take part in an online poll or view past survey results.

Documents|

An assortment of reports, plans and strategies.

Links|

Information about or relating to Housing Futures and the Stock Condition Survey from other websites.

Frequently asked questions|

Look here before asking us a question - we may have already answered it.