Islington Council conducts biggest ever housing survey

Hot on the heels of the census, over 29,000 Islington residents will soon find themselves with another form to fill in, as the Council will be sending out questionnaires to tentans, freeholders and leasholders in what is set to be the biggest local housing survey ever. So, is it worth taking the time to complete the questionnaire and what will it mean for you?

The council tells us that 'Your home, your views' - will help decide how Islington's council housing should be managed in the future. It asks those whose housing services are managed by Homes for Islington (HFI) what their priorities are for housing management - including how much influence residents should have in decision making.

The outcome of the project is hoped to be a new model that better reflects residents' views while ensuring decent affordable homes and value for money in the long term.

So why has the council chosen to conduct this review now? It is firstly because the money for the Decent Homes programme, curretly delivered by HFI, comes to an end in 2011. Second, the national system of housing finance is set to change in April 2012, giving councils more flexibility and responsibility for increasing housing supply and quality. Lastly, HFI's contract with Islington Council ends in 2014.

Sean McLaughlin, Corporate Director of Housing at Islington Council said: "The council has an open mind on the outcome and wants as many residents as possible to have their say on the crucial decisions that affect them - whether that's service management, new home building, estate security or improving opportunities.

If you're a HFI resident, your deadline for filling in the questionnaire is 8 August. There are postal and drop-in options (though no online option we are aware of) for completing the form.