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Camden New Journal - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 24 May 2007

Town Hall ready to sell off its homes in bid
to cash in

Plan to auction properties branded ‘a disgrace’ by campaigners

THE Town Hall last night (Wednesday) triggered a massive revolt of tenants by agreeing to sell off council properties and do deals with housing associations to raise funds.
The decision came just as campaigners hoped a change in government leadership would pave the way for direct investment in council housing.
In a move that critics argue runs roughshod over Camden’s proud commitment of providing homes for the borough’s most in need, senior councillors used a cabinet meeting to sign off a strategy which will see scores of properties lost to the private market.
The flats and houses affected are currently empty, but instead of being refurbished by the Town Hall and taken by people on the waiting list they will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
In addition, estates could be seized by housing associations in contract deals which would see outsiders pay for refurbishment in return for a stake in public land.
Estates such as Wendling and Bacton in Gospel Oak and Ampthill Square in Camden Town are thought to be near the top of the list for so-called ‘estate regeneration’ packages.
Camden’s Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition said, while not an “ideal world” solution, the strategy was the only way to raise enough money to pay for a huge backlog of repairs.
Lib Dem leader Councillor Keith Moffitt said the policy showed that the new administration was not afraid to take tough decisions.
His number two, Tory Councillor Andrew Marshall, said: “There is a difference between being responsible and popular and sometimes there is a conflict between the two. We have a duty to our tenants as landlords to do this.”
But the timing of the announcement has devastated tenants leaders and dissenting councillors who have spent the last three years trying to prise investment for repairs from the government.
While senior Camden figures are due to meet housing minister Yvette Cooper at Whitehall later today (Thursday), campaigners feel that the Town Hall has raised a white flag.
Significantly, protesters and Labour politicians believe changes in the government hierarchy will lead to a change in policy and unlock direct funding.
Jon Cruddas – supported as the preferred candidate for Labour’s deputy leader by the Holborn branch of the party – said: “It is vital that councils are given the resources to build new houses and maintain and invest in existing housing stock.”
Any sale of council properties has always been regarded as a cardinal sin in the eyes of Camden’s tenants and residents have fought every plan to transfer homes.
Government has been refused to provide funding for repairs ever since.
But this time around tenants will not get a ballot and have instead been reduced to making their disgust felt in meetings.
Alan Walter, the Kentish Town tenants leader who helps organise pressure group Defend Council Housing, warned members that they were betraying tenants.
Mr Walter said: “I think what you are putting as a priority is keeping Camden’s excellent star rating and you are putting that in front of the interests of Camden tenants. I think that’s disgraceful.”

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