We will extend our range of payment methods and train staff to give advice on debt management. We will only increase rent annually in line with guidelines set by the Welsh Assembly government and will move towards benchmark rents.
Improvements programme
We will deliver a 30-year programme of planned repairs and modernisation works worth £357.6 million. In the first five years, we will spend £69.5 million as set out in our
promises to tenants.
We will deliver a faster repairs service and programme of planned maintenance to keep properties up to standard. We will involve tenants in reviewing the service through our
Quality and Design Forum (QDF).
Regeneration
We will invest in environmental improvements within local communities and consult how this can be best spent. We will work closely with other partners to ensure we get best value for money and pool resources rather than compete. We will create apprenticeships, student training and placement schemes and will offer employment opportunities to local people.
We will protect our key tenants’ rights under the transfer through the creation of a new tenancy agreement.
Anti-social behaviour
We will have clear policies for dealing with anti-social behaviour and will give serious nuisance top priority. We will carry out additional crime prevention measures in consultation with tenants.
We will improve security in sheltered schemes and introduce support schemes for older people.
Aids and adaptations
We will introduce an annual budget of £100,000 for adaptations to help tenants stay in their homes longer.
We will offer a range of ways for tenants to get involved in running and monitoring the service. We will effectively feedback how their input makes a difference.
Investment needs
Merthyr Valleys Homes will make sure that all homes will be brought up to the
WHQS standard by 2014. The standard will ensure that tenants live in homes which are:
- In a good state of repair
- Safe and secure
- Adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated
- Contain up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms
- Well managed (for rented housing)
- Located in attractive and safe environments
- As far as possible suit the specific requirements of the household.
But we won’t stop there. We will also provide more employment opportunities and improved life chances for local people. We will achieve this by:
- Offering apprenticeships
- Training and recruiting staff to diversify the work undertaken by the Property Services Team
- Creating communities that attract new private investments.
To make sure that our communities become places that people are proud to live, we listen to what our residents want, and what they think needs to change. We also partner with local organisations, such as the police and the council, to make our work as effective as possible.