Government gives thumbs up to Islington's housing ALMO plans

12.00.00am GMT Fri 26th Mar 2004

The government has this week announced that it has fully endorsed the plans by Islington's Liberal Democrat council to set up an Arms Length Management Organisation - Homes for Islington - to manage the council's housing. The news means that the Council can now get on with formally launching its ALMO - Homes for Islington - on 5th April. The ALMO will take over responsibility for housing management on behalf of the Council and will have access to £157 million to bring the council's stock up to the government's required 'Decent Homes Standard' by 2010. This works out at £7000 per property. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister stated in his letter to Islington Council confirming government approval of the ALMO plans that: "The Secretary of State is is satisfied that [the application] meets his criteria for the delegation of housing management responsibilities to an ALMO." Councillor Jyoti Vaja, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Housing, said: "In December last year tenants backed our plans to set up an ALMO as the best way to bring our homes up to scratch. I am really pleased that the government has now shown its support for what we are trying to do. "The ALMO will mean extensive refurbishment and improvements to tenant's homes. For many this will include new windows, central heating, kitchens and bathrooms. "Islington's ALMO will be a truly local organisation committed to providing the best possible service to tenants and leaseholders in Islington. The ALMO board of directors who are tenants or leaseholders are at the heart of the key decision making process. "The Council is now looking forward to working with the ALMO to ensure better homes for the future in Islington." &nbsp FACTS 1. A ballot of Islington's tenants took place in November 2003. 83% of tenants and leaseholders who voted backed the Council's plans for an ALMO to be set up in the borough. 2. Islington Council applied formally for approval to set up its ALMO from the government (section 27 notice) in January 2004 and was given the go-ahead on 23rd March 2004. 3. The ALMO - Homes for Islington - is being launched formally 5th April 2004. 4. 'Homes for Islington' will be a company managed by a board of directors with tenant and leaseholder reps as well as council nominees and independently selected people. The company is still owned entirely by the council, not by any private organisation.