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By
commissioning a series of in-depth housing surveys in
2003/04, the Housing Committee was able to confirm that
sustained
and strategic investment in Western Isles housing stock
has brought dramatic improvements. New build schemes
and a rolling programme of renovation and repair have extended
and improved the range and quality of housing available.
A key feature of 2003/04 has been the provision of amenities
designed to enhance local housing areas.
Key Achievements
- Significant progress was made on the Local
Housing Strategy for the Western Isles during 2003/04.
Drawing on the results
of a series of surveys on house transactions, state
of repair, heating costs and homelessness, 14 key targets
were identified
which the Comhairle will work towards achieving by
2009.
- The Balivanich Regeneration Project was successfully
completed in 2003/04, resulting in the revitalisation
of a housing
estate left empty and in poor repair following the
withdrawal of MoD servicemen and their families.
In 2000, the Comhairle
secured £2.5m to acquire the properties. Since
then, 51 houses have been demolished, 25 upgraded
for rent and
35 sold on the open market. Environmental improvements
to public spaces and amenities have greatly enhanced
the locality.
The area is now seeing a resurgence in housing demand.
- An increase in the budget for new build schemes in
the Western Isles meant that Muirneag Housing Association
was able to
begin construction work on 45 new housing units in
2003/04 – an
increase of 25 units from 2002/03.
Looking Ahead
The reduction of the Comhairle’s Capital
Debt through the transfer of housing stock to the Hebridean
Housing Partnership
(HHP) will be addressed in the Partnership’s Business
Plan which is due to be submitted to the Comhairle towards
the end of 2004. Set up by the Comhairle in 2002, the HHP
will be responsible for improving housing stock in the
Western Isles through the re-investment of rent income.
Tenants are
key stakeholders in the proposed transfer and make up a
significant proportion of the Board Members of the HHP.
The Comhairle
is committed to ensuring that tenants are widely consulted
and involved in the stock transfer process and has appointed
an independent firm of advisers to offer impartial advice
and information to tenants.
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