MORE than 22,300 private sector homes in Warrington are of poor quality and some 6, 680 of these are occupied by vulnerable families – many of them elderly.
At the same time, government funding to improve properties is under severe pressure and this year has fallen to just 40 per cent of last year’s level.
As a result, housing chiefs have serious concerns about their ability to bring significant numbers of empty homes back into use or sustain standards for vulnerable people in private sector homes.
The worrying statistics are contained in the Cheshire and Warrington Homes and Communities Local Investment Plan, produced jointly by Warrington Borough Council and the neighbouring authorities of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.
The poor quality private housing is not unique to Warrington.
Across Cheshire, it is estimated that there are some 71,620 non-decent homes – more than 28 per cent of the private sector housing – and that 37,126 are occupied by vulnerable families.
Main reasons for non-decent homes are inadequate heating and insulation and serious hazards which councils have a statutory duty to remedy.
Warrington and the two Cheshire councils are working with primary health care chiefs to target the most vulnerable and maximise health benefits.
The level of empty homes in Warrington is below the regional average but there is concern that it could become an increasing problem, especially among new apartment developments.
Warrington and the Cheshire authorities have substantial programmes in place to help meet the needs of a rapidly growing elderly population. In Warrington, sub-standard bedsits have been converted to flats which meet the needs of older people.
Improvements like this are seen as vitally important as they enable older people and those with disabilities to stay in their own homes.
Warrington Home Information and Improvement Agency has been set up to provide a wide range of advice and support and to develop new services, helping the vulnerable to maintain and repair their homes and providing a “handyperson” and gardening service.
MORE than 22,300 private sector homes in Warrington are of poor quality
and some 6, 680 of these are occupied by vulnerable families - many of
them elderly.
Town faces unfit homes crisis
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
