Highland Housing Association Is Open and Accountable

Issued on behalf of the Highland Housing Association

All 24-tenant organisations throughout the Highlands are to be invited by the Highland Housing Association to attend their management committee meetings.

This invitation by Highland Housing Association, the new not for profit organisation, set up to take over the ownership and management of The Highland Council’s housing stock, is the result of the management committee’s recent statement committing the organisation to openness and accountability.

The management committee firmly believes that by providing opportunities for tenants, tenants organisations and local community groups to be involved in and to influence decision making will uphold the principles of openness, accountability, equal opportunities and best value.

Nigel Campbell, Vice-Chairperson of the Management Committee is delighted that Highland Housing Association has made this commitment to conduct its affairs openly and make information publicly available.

“This is a really important development for Highland Housing Association and has come from the association’s commitment to allow tenants to be closely involved and influence the decision making especially in the run up to the ballot.” he said.

“Housing transfer is a wonderful opportunity for tenants throughout the Highlands and we want people to be able to find out about us, our values and aims and our commitment to securing the best possible future for highland tenants.” he added.

Information will be available to everybody who has an interest in Highland Housing Association and housing transfer through the association’s new website, due to be launched later this month, and tenant newsletters and through future meetings and events.

People will be able to access a range of information including Management Committee minutes and policy documents and Highland Housing Association’s business plan.

For further information please contact:

Donnie MacDonald, Interim Administration Manager, Highland Housing Association, Fairways Business Park, Inverness (01463) 702683

Notes to Editors:
Highland Housing Association will only take over the ownership and management of the council’s 14,500 houses to if the majority of tenants voting in a ballot later this year support the proposal.

If the majority of tenants who vote in the ballot, vote in favour of transfer, the Scottish Executive will write off the councils existing housing debt. This means that the Highland Housing Association will have more money to invest in improvements to tenants’ homes and better services – while keeping rents affordable.