Tenants are set for £30million of improvements after Southend councillors decided to hand control of 6,300 council houses to a new management organisation.
The proposals, agreed by last night's full council, mean the properties will remain in council ownership, but will be run by a new board which will include councillors, tenant representatives and interested members.
Cabinet member in charge of housing, Gwen Horrigan, said the proposal was the best way forwward to ensure the housing stock in the town could be brought up to modern standards.
She said: "The reality is that we do not have the option of retaining the housing under council control, because the money would not be available from the Government.
"By going down this route, there is an opportunity to obtain £30 million to do the work which is needed, but the properties will still be owned by the council and the tenants will still be council tenants."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article