Redbridge Homes tenants are demanding that the council act upon a Government scheme and build more low-cost housing (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Redbridge Homes tenants are demanding that the council act upon a Government scheme and build more low-cost housing

2:50pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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REDBRIDGE Homes tenants have called upon the council to take advantage of a new Government scheme and replace their crumbling homes.

An initiative has just been announced to kick start affordable housing by allowing local authorities to retain council rents from and receipts from right-to-buy purchasers, rather than the money going to the Treasury.

And embattled tenants are demanding Redbridge seize the opportunity to build more low-cost homes.

However, essential improvement works to exisitng properties have just been cancelled as Redbridge Homes missed out on a £39million windfall by failing to get two stars on their Audit Commission report last month.

Louise Ferguson, 28, of Ray Lodge Road, Woodford Green, has had vital repair works to her kitchen and bathroom had just been cancelled.

The mum-of-two said: “There's massive overcrowding on this estate and there are just not enough council houses around.

“My bathroom is horrible as the tiles are falling off and the bath moves. This area is a nice place to live but the standard of housing is terrible.”

Redbridge currently has the lowest council housing stock of any London borough.

And according to data from the Department for Communities and Local Government, between 2004 and 2008 the number of households in the borough on waiting lists for transfers rose from 4,766 to 13,188, with 13.9 per cent of all families holding out for different properties.

Lucy Davies, also of Ray Lodge Road, lives with her four young children in a cramped two-bedroom apartment.

The 27-year-old said: “There is just no chance of being rehoused at the moment and we have been waiting for ever. I don't think that housing is a priority at all for the council at all.”

A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said: "The council recognises the need for affordable housing and has an affordable housing strategy.

"We are carefully examining the recent broad proposals put forward by the government in respect of council new build and once we see the more detailed information from the Government we’ll be able to consider the options more closely.”