The Fourth Way in Housing

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Aug 2005

As the first Manchester tenants consider their future, Manchester Withington MP John Leech is supporting moves in parliament to call on the Government to consider a "fourth option" for the financing of council housing.

He has signed an Early Day Motion which states that the government's current three options of Stock Transfer, Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) are limiting councils' capacity to meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Although councils have the choice to retain both ownership and management of housing, less government money for housing is available for councils which choose this route. John, along with tenants' organisations, the Local Government Association, local authorities and trade unions, is calling for a level playing field and a fourth option.

John Leech MP said today:

"Given the current rules, I understand why local tenants may want to leave the Council. I think it would be better if tenants had the option of staying with the Council and getting the investment needed on our estates."