THOUSANDS of council homes are in line for improvement.
The Gateshead Housing Company, which is now managing Gateshead Council's 24,000 houses, was launched at housing offices across the borough yesterday.
The arms-length company, which the council said had the support of 94 per cent of tenants, could carry out up to £232m of improvements to the housing stock over the next seven years.
Ken Childs, board chairman, said: "The Gateshead Housing Company is aiming to change the face of council housing in Gateshead forever.
"The vision of The Gateshead Housing Company is simple, we will be constantly working with the community to provide excellent homes and housing services.
"These are exciting times, but in a way it is business as usual.
"Our tenants will still have Gateshead Council as a landlord looking after their interests - and they will also have The Gateshead Housing Company improving housing across the borough.''
The company's board of 15 people includes five tenants, five councillors and five independent members.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article