NEWS STORY: JANUARY 2007

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Northwards in the news

We've got the stars to improve your home!

We're celebrating good news! We've been given £130 million to improve every tenant's home - after being awarded two stars with 'excellent prospects for improvement' in the government's Inspection of Northwards Housing.

In December 2005, we took over the management of 13,000 council homes in the area - after winning a 91% ballot vote from tenants in the area.

Chief Executive Robin Lawler says, "As well as managing the homes, we made several promises to our tenants - that every one of their homes would get new double glazing, a choice of a brand new kitchen or bathroom, improvements to the local environment and any repairs needed to bring homes up to the 'decent homes standard' set by the government."

We were given access to £130 million to carry out these improvements, on the condition that we passed a detailed inspection by the government's Audit Commission.

The Audit Commission gave us an intensive two week Inspection in June 2006 - looking closely at areas like: customer care, access to services, tenant involvement, local environment, carrying out repairs and providing services to diverse communities.

To judge whether we get the cash, the Audit Commission gives organisations like ours a 'star rating' depending on how well they perform in the Inspection.

Northwards' Chair, Ade Alao says, "Everyone involved has worked so hard to set up Northwards Housing and to get the organisation ready for Inspection within just six months of starting. It is a tremendous achievement to earn two stars with excellent prospects for improvement. We will now spend the money wisely, improving tenants' homes."

Manchester City Council's executive member for housing, Councillor Eddy Newman, said: "This achievement is a testimony to the work done by staff at Northwards and there has been further progress since the inspection in June. With extra money from Manchester City Council, the total amount of £200 million will go on improving all 13,000 homes by March 2011."

See the Audit Commission inspection in full

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