Progress on housing improvement plan
Last updated | 16/05/2008
A report on the progress being made by the Housing Service towards implementing an improvement plan approved by Communities Scotland in 2007 will be reported to a meeting of the Housing and Health Committee.
At a meeting on Wednesday 21 May members will be informed of significant improvements to the homelessness service, including the extensive refurbishment and upgrade of the Greyfriars House and the inclusion of on-site support services for clients. The project at Greyfriars recently won a Council Securing the Future Award, which recognised the improvement in the service and the ways in which it had enhanced the lives of service users.
The committee will also hear about progress being made in the management of temporary accommodation to maximise access to the accommodation pool.
The report says that a review of the Council’s housing allocations policy is also being carried out to improve the framework for allocating properties, and Area Improvement Plans have been out into place on estates, and tenant groups have been set up to monitor environmental standards.
In property management progress has been made in the reporting of gas safety performance, and work is ongoing in this area. Area Response Teams have been rolled out across the district to deliver quick and efficient repairs.
Housing and Health Convener, Councillor Peter Barrett, said: “I welcome this report, which shows significant progress is being made in many areas.
“Staff are working hard to meet the challenges and milestone contained in the Improvement Report, and these improvements indicate that we are moving in the right direction. This was highlighted at the recent Securing the Future Awards ceremony, when the Greyfriars refurbishment programme was recognised for its excellence. Staff are now providing a unique service, that puts Greyfriars and its residents at the hub of a network of support, care, advocacy and counselling. It is a very innovative project and I am delighted that staff have won this award."
