Decent Homes programme rolls out

The Decent Homes investment programme is rolling out to more areas of Sheffield.

Work is starting on improving properties in Woodfarm, Deer Park, Stanwood, Fairbarn, Parson Cross, Woodhouse and Westfield. Around 6,000 council properties will be improved together with approximately 500 privately owned properties in these areas. As in Arbourthorne and Wincobank, the properties need a range of work including new kitchens, new bathrooms, rewiring, new windows and external doors.

Steve Jenkinson, Director of Investment at Sheffield Homes, said: "We've spent a lot of time working up plans for this massive investment programme. Local board members have done extensive consultation with Tenants' and Residents' Associations to plan the work. Tenants helped to determine which areas need investing in first. Over the past few months surveyors have been visiting tenants in these areas assessing what needs doing to their properties. Customer liaison advisors have visited tenants to discuss the work with them and to find out if they have any special requirements. Tenants decided that we would go for the 'whole house' approach. This means that we will do all the work necessary to bring a property up to the Decent Homes Standard at the same time.

"We appreciate that this is very disruptive for tenants while the work is carried out, but the results will be worthwhile. Once the work is complete, the tenants will be able to enjoy a warm, secure, modernised home."

Joanne Roney, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, said: "This is the start of a programme to transform Sheffield's neighbourhoods and I want to thank all the tenant representatives who have worked with us and continue to work with us at this exciting time. I'd also like to congratulate Sheffield Homes for making progress so quickly. Tenants have raised issues with us in recent weeks about the Decent Homes programme and the disruption it causes. We cannot do such extensive work without some inconvenience for tenants but we are committed to keeping disruption to the minimum, providing somewhere for tenants to go to escape the work, and introducing a dedicated number for them to phone if they are experiencing problems."

Kier Sheffield LLP are working on over 250 properties in Westfield and 300 in Woodhouse in the first phase of the modernisation programme and by the end of the year will have started work on more than 1,700 homes in these areas. One of the first tenants to benefit from the refurbishment work in Woodhouse is Harold Osborne of Skelton Grove who is having new heating and a new kitchen and bathroom fitted. "It is starting to look better already," said Mr Osborne, 78. "I am pleased that they decided I would be among the first to have it done and I am looking forward to enjoying it when it is finished."

It is the third time that Mr Osborne has benefited from a modernisation programme having had similar improvements at two previous homes.

Notes to editors:
Sheffield's Decent Homes programme is the largest housing investment programme in the country. Five contractors - Connaught Property Services Ltd, Keepmoat plc, Kier Sheffield LLP, Lovell Partnerships Ltd and Mears Group plc, are working together on the £1billion programme. They use Delcam's Enterprise Project Management system to manage the investment programme. The Decent Homes programme will not only improve 54,000 council owned properties across the city but through clauses written into the contracts,
it will provide local jobs and skills training. Sheffield Homes (the Arms Length Management Organisation that manages council owned properties) is managing the contractors on behalf of Sheffield City Council.

PRESS CONTACT: Neil Anderson or Ian Waugh at Anderson Waugh Ltd on 0114 225 7080.