Lewisham residents have voted 'yes' to taking control of 6,356 council properties in the borough's largest ever stock transfer.
Sixty eight percent of tenants in the Bellingham, Bankfoot and John Henry neigbourhoods, who took part in the ballot, voted in favour of transferring the area's homes to the Phoenix Community Housing association, in order to exceed the Government's Decent Homes Standard.
Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said: "The Phoenix stock transfer epitomises what Lewisham Council is trying to achieve within the Government’s Decent Homes process - better properties, large-scale investment and more say for local people in the management of their own homes."
The resident-led housing trust has involved local people from its inception, who decided to base the charitable organisation on the 'Community Gateway Model' to allow an unprecedented amount of community involvement.
As well as having seven locally-elected residents on the board, tenants and leaseholders in the area will be encouraged to become members of Phoenix - helping to guide the organisation's strategies, vote at general meetings and influence decision making.
Cllr Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: "This positive ballot result represents the start of an exciting new era for local people. The Phoenix Community Housing Association is truly owned by the community and with the additional funding it will receive, I'm sure will improve not only housing stock in the area, but also services and standards."
Phoenix Community Housing Trust will spend £71 million over the next five years bringing local homes up to the 'Phoenix Standard', a higher specification than the Government's Decent Homes Standard.
Fifty percent of the 5,889 tenants eligible* to vote took part in the ballot, which ran from November 23 to December 13.
Every home in the association's area will be brought up to the Phoenix Standard within five years, which will include new double glazing in flats and communal areas and new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, doors, rewiring, insulation and lifts.
Pat Fordham, tenant and Chair of the Phoenix Shadow Board, commented: "The board is delighted with the result of the ballot and looks forward to setting up London's first Community Gateway Association."
The Phoenix's board intends to deliver first-class repairs and management services and introduce local housing surgeries and resident driven monitoring panels.
The ballot result will go to Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet for approval for transfer on January 10, 2007.
* Only secure and introductory tenants were eligible to vote in the ballot.