Give us Back our Decent Homes Money

The Government has recently announced their decision to cut funds from the Decent Homes programme in order to build affordable houses elsewhere in the country.

This means that the Decent Homes funding for improvements in Sutton, that should have started in January 2010 following a successful Audit Commission Inspection, will now be delayed until April 2011 at the earliest.

Sutton’s £112 million Decent Homes funding is critical to delivering improvements, such as replacement windows, kitchens and bathrooms.  It will also pay for the replacement of out-dated box bathrooms on the St Helier estate, increased insulation and upgrading tower blocks such as Chaucer House.

We are all deeply disappointed by the Government's decision on the Decent Homes funding.  This is a terrible blow for all tenants, not only in Sutton, but all over the country.  I cannot express how I feel for all the staff at Sutton Housing Partnership and the tenants of Sutton, but I know that together we are NOT going to lose this battle.

What is important is the Audit Commission's Inspection in October and reaching those all important two stars.  I feel confident that we are going to reach the two stars and I know that this decision may make it a little harder, but we cannot let the Government destroy all that we have done to make Sutton council tenants part of the ALMO and have a say in what we, as tenants, want.

SFTRA, Sutton Housing Partnership and the London Borough of Sutton have had considerable support from our local MPs; Paul Burstow and Tom Brake and from our local councillors; Councillor Sean Brennan (Council Leader), Councillor Ruth Dombey (Deputy Leader), Councillor Colin Stears (Council Executive Member for Housing), Councillor David Callaghan, Councillor John Drage, Councillor Roger Thistle, Councillor Peter Geiringer, Councillor Pamela Picknett and Councillor Moira Butt whom we cannot thank enough.

We are urging all Sutton tenants to play their part in this and show their support for Sutton Housing Partnership.  We must make it clear that we want and welcome our ALMO and that the Government must release the £112 million pounds we have been waiting to access.  Let us all make sure we work together to get the two stars.

We really need YOUR support to demand that the Government honours its promises and here's how you can do that:

• Write to your local MP (Paul Burstow MP, Tom Brake MP)
• Join our "Give us back our Decent Homes Money!" Facebook Campaign at www.facebook.com
• Send a letter to the local paper (Sutton Guardian, Sutton Post)
• Contact your local news station (London News)
• Contact your local radio station (Radio Jackie)

Thank you for your support and together we can fight the government for OUR money.