Letters to the Editor. July 30th 2003. Like pigs fighting over a trough Your article (Thrown out on the streets, Times/Chronicle, 16 July) sums up what many housing associations have now become. Margaret Thatcher turned them into housing companies, and they are like pigs fighting over the trough. In the form of Arms Length Managment Organisations, they are going for council tenants. However, the sum quoted of £67,000 is a miscomprehension for which I may be responsible. Right to Buy does not come into the situation. The figure mentioned is the amount in discount that Camden have, in the past, offered to West Hampstead Housing Association (now called Pathmeads but run by Paddington Churches H.A.) to get rid of their tenants by whatever means and to install Camden nominees instead. PCHA, Genesis Housing Group's main player, have presided over WHHA's debt going from £3M to £11.5M. For this they have charged us £2M in management costs. My rent went up 49% when I was forced into a flat which I see as worse, and an already poor standard of housing services and maintenance have deteriorated. They made £20m operating profit last year, and pay the group's boss an estimated £2,500 - £3,000 per week from our rent money. I am shocked by Tara Mann's letter, (Tenants, get to know your rights, Times/Chronicle, July 16). The time has come for the borough solicitor, Ms. Terry Osborne, to explain fully what the intention is, and what the legal ramifications for tenants are.   Yours sincerely, Peter Rutherford. Chair, WHHA Tenants Association (in exile). Back to the web site