The future of council housing

Tens of thousands of Manchester people are enjoying the benefits of multi-million pound investment programmes that are bringing sparkling home improvements and stunning upgrades to local estates and environments.

After tenants' backing in special ballots, four new not-for-profit housing companies took over from the council to deliver top-notch improvements that have brought local housing up to decent modern standards. They are:

• Northwards Housing
• City South Manchester Housing Trust
• Southway Housing Trust
• Parkway Green Housing Trust

Other tenants switched to existing housing organisations after similar transfers - to Eastlands Homes for example.

Final stages

We're now entering the final stages of the drive to bring these improvements to every Manchester council estate.

In West Gorton and Collyhurst we're looking at new approaches to bring much-improved homes and a better environment.

Council tenants in other areas have enjoyed a different route to regeneration. Exciting 'Private Finance Initiative' - or housing PFI -schemes are bringing big changes to Grove Village, Ardwick and to estates in Miles Platting.

Plans for a similar scheme in Brunswick could see massive improvements starting in late 2011.