Camden council have resolved to sell properties to the WHHA/Pathmeads shortlife tenants' housing co-operative, Camden Residents In Shortlife Housing, CRISH. This arises from CRISH's 98% vote (see report: May 9th) to break away from Paddington Churches Housing Association and Genesis.
RESOLVED –
THAT, subject to any necessary consent from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and a review by the Executive on 25th February 2005 of the likelihood of the success of the scheme based on the level on interest shown by the eligible households,
(i) the occupied properties listed in Section 1A of Annex 1 be transferred to the Co-operative Development Society (CDS), at a price of £1,136,039, to be refurbished or redeveloped for rent and to Housing Corporation standards and with 100% nominations to the Council in perpetuity, after first lettings to eligible households, subject to the review set out in (vii) below;
(ii) it be agreed in principle that Gainsborough and Claremont Houses be sold to CDS, for rent and shared ownership, subject to a further report to the Executive on 25th February 2004 when the Housing Corporation funding for the shared ownership is confirmed or otherwise;
(iii) those in Annex 1 Section 1B be leased to CDS for short life use for a time to be agreed to allow for their occupation until the completed units in the scheme are ready for people to move to. The lease will require CDS to return the properties to the Council vacant and that they return the properties to the Council in their condition at the date of grant of the lease, subject to fair wear and tear;
(iv) those in Annex 1 Section 1B be then subject to an options appraisal to be considered at a future meeting of the Executive and following which they may be used by the Council or sold directly on the open market with vacant possession, subject to covenant that the purchaser may not occupy the premises themselves;
(v) the properties in Section 2 of Annex 1 (72 Messina Avenue and 120 Maygrove Road) be sold on the open market, subject to covenant that the purchaser may not occupy the premises themselves, the receipts to be ring fenced to the other non-Pathmeads shortlife properties, which will be subject to a future report to the Executive;
(vi) the options appraisal at 3.2 and Annex 2 be noted;
(vii) that the likelihood of success of the scheme based on deadlines for eligible residents to
· Submit the housing application to establish their eligibility by 16th January 2004, and
· Sign the agreement with CDS by 21st February 2004
be reviewed at the meeting on 25th February 2004 (i.e. before the Housing Corporation’s Grant Approval deadline for 2003-4 approvals.)
(viii) it be confirmed that if social housing grant has not been secured by the end of June 2004 the Council will then secure the return to the Council of the properties with vacant possession, seeking to rehouse the eligible residents in other Council or housing association owned properties, and the Council’s support for this project will then end. The properties would then be sold or brought back into use by the Council.
Camden's briefing document on the CRISH homes. (a .doc file, unfortunately)
RESOLVED –
(i) THAT, subject to the results of the ballot of the 2 or 3 secure tenants and any necessary consent from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Council transfer the freehold interest of New Court to Paddington Churches Housing Association (PCHA) on the same conditions as previously agreed (on 28th March 2003) as listed with revised valuations as set out in the report on Part II of the agenda;
(ii) THAT it be noted that if the 2 or 3 secure tenants do not choose to be transferred to PCHA their flats be leased back to the Council on terms to be agreed at a subsequent meeting of the Executive; and
(iii) THAT the proposal for the provision of a 2 bedroom flat, as set out in the report at paragraph 3(a), be approved.
Camden's briefing document on New Court. (a .doc file, unfortunately).