Don’t stop us now

The move by Slough and Hillingdon councils to close their arm’s-length management organisations has raised important questions over the future role of ALMOs as the original 2010 decent homes deadline approaches.

Quite simply, ALMOs remain the most successful form of housing management overall, with more than 80 per cent holding two or more stars. This suggests reports of their imminent demise are misguided.

The majority of councils originally expected to bring their ALMOs back under council control once the decent homes programme was completed. The fact that so many councils have since recognised the wider benefits of retaining their ALMOs is cause for congratulation.

The NFA has always anticipated that the sector would diversify but it is essential that tenants are fully informed and fully involved in determining their future.

The success of the ALMO sector is not just the delivery of decent homes and improved services but also the greater efficiencies and wider social benefits that they bring. This is due to their board and staffing structures, and the way in which tenants have helped to drive up service standards.

ALMOs place the interests of tenants at the heart of everything they do and, although local authorities could stand to make some short-term financial gain from taking their services back in-house, the well-being of tenants must remain paramount. ALMO tenants have a real say in how their estates are managed and many will be reluctant to give up these freedoms which have undoubtedly led to improved services.

Currently, 37 ALMOs have achieved the Audit Commission’s two-star rating while a further 21 have been awarded the maximum three-star rating; a track record unsurpassed by the housing association or traditional local authority sectors.

This is an achievement based on far more than just the delivery of decent homes, significant though it is in itself, and recognises the important role ALMOs play in delivering wider services and regenerating our communities.

The NFA is currently preparing a report to highlight the wider benefits delivered by ALMOs which will include significant improvements in areas such as health, employment, financial inclusion, community cohesion and local pride.

Following the general election in May, it will be up to the government of whatever colour to provide a clear direction for the future role of ALMOs beyond decent homes.

We wish the tenants of Slough and Hillingdon, and others who may see their ALMOs disappearing, all the best for the future and hope that they do not have cause to regret losing those very elements that have been important contributors to the ALMO sector’s success.

Alison Inman, chair of the National Federation of ALMOs