Overcrowding and poor conditions to be tackled

OLDHAM COUNCIL CABINET

A NEW strategy was approved to solve problems of overcrowding and poor conditions in Oldham’s private housing.

A report to cabinet highlighted a high level of cramped 19th century terrace homes and the fact that over 30 per cent of private houses failed to meet decency standards.

The Private Sector Housing Strategy for 2009 - 2012 aims to boost the quantity and quality of properties and give people greater choice and access to improved housing.

New initiatives include encouraging people to downsize to free up larger family homes, helping vulnerable people make their homes energy efficient, provide equity loans for absent owners to increase affordable housing and run an accredited letting agents scheme.
There are more than 2,200 private homes lying empty in Oldham but the council aims to bring back at least 150 a year into use.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services and housing, said: “It’s excellent news.

“It’s building on some excellent work that’s gone on and that has been recognised by the Government.” Overcrowding is highest in privately rented homes in Coldhurst (56 per cent), Alexandra (38 per cent), Werneth (36 per cent) and St Mary’s (36 per cent) with pockets of overcrowding in Westwood, Holden Fold, Heyside and Busk.

And many of the poorer terrace homes are privately rented — making up 66 per cent of private lets in Oldham compared with 27 per cent in England as a whole.

Oldham will have a higher proportion of older people and a growing number of under-15s from ethnic minorities in the future.

Despite low house prices in parts of Oldham, the report shows that it is virtually impossible for those in the lowest quarter pay band to get on to the housing ladder.


Academy deadline stretched

THE deadline for signing the Funding Agreement to build the Oasis Academy Oldham is be extended after a Government delay.

Cabinet heard that the agreement was submitted to ministers several weeks ago and approval was expected before a deadline of September 30.

But a delay in considering and signing the documents by ministers meant an extension until December 31 was required.

The agreement is needed before South Chadderton and Kaskenmoor schools can be replaced.

Chief executive Charlie Parker stressed: “There’s no potential problems with the scheme, it’s just a procedural issue.”