Open Door Oct/Nov - Tower Hamlets Homes

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020 7364 5015 www.towerhamletshomes.org.ukLOOKING AFTER YOUR ESTATEInvesting inyour homesTower Hamlets Homes was set up with a bid tothe government for £260 million investment todeliver decent homes for our residents. Ifsuccessful this will mean we can spend moneyon internal improvements like new kitchens andbathrooms, but the government funds aredependant on us achieving a two-star rating fromthe Audit Commission when they inspect us.In the meantime, our ambitious five yearprogramme of works on estates across theborough is progressing well and helping deliverdecent homes. £115million will be invested overthe next four and a half years of which about £24mwill be spent this year. This is in addition to the£6m fund allocated to general improvements suchas repainting and extra cleaning.The five year programme focuses on estaterefurbishment. An example is the £4m investmentin door entry systems. Existing equipment is beingrefurbished andin someinstancesupgraded toimprove accessfor olderresidents, theinfirm andparents withpushchairs. Inaddition, newWorksunderway todeliverdecent homesat EagleHouse andWingfieldHouse.The wraps come off Heathpool Court, Bethnal Greenafter improvements including new windows and entrancedoors, concrete repairs and external decorationssystems are being fitted at other locations. Thework will help increase security.Electric wiring in communal areas, and in somecases individual homes, is also being upgraded.The new cabling allows better lighting to be fittedin public areas, brightening-up some dark cornersthat were previously only half lit. This workcontributes to safety and acts as a deterrent toanti-social behaviour. The new cables also deliverthe extra power demanded for the increasednumber of appliances found in today’s homes.Lifts will be cleaner, brighter and more reliableas a result of a £7m investment whilst £20m isbeing spent on renewing ageing roofs. £15m hasbeen allocated to improvements to concretestructures and external decoration.Every one of over 1,000 blocks will be ready toreceive digital TV well before the scheduled turnoffof the analogue broadcasts. The work, whichbegan in 2004, is well ahead of schedule. TowerHamlets Homes is also spending £10m on heatingsystems and a further £20m on windowmaintenance and replacement.What is the decent homes standard?The decent homes standard was set by thegovernment to improve all social housing by2010. According to the government'sdefinition, it means that a home has to be'warm, weatherproof and have reasonablymodern facilities.'6
Open Door » Oct/Nov 2008& DELIVERING DECENT HOMESEstateaction daysTower Hamlets Homes’ popular summerprogramme of Estate Action Days recentlydrew to a close with a final event at theBerner Estate. The Action Days were anopportunity to spruce up estates and carry outminor communal repairs whilst listening toresidents’ needs and providing information onthe services provided by Tower HamletsHomes and its partners.As part of the special spruce up, Caretaking andEstate Services removed bulk rubbish, litter-pickedgrassed areas, jet washed bin rooms, and removedgraffiti. Youngsters meanwhile enjoyed a range ofactivities including face painting, music mixing andplaying Nintendo Wiis.Sharon Allen, area housing manager said: “We’llbe developing a new programme of estate days andevents with resident groups to take place in thespring. Watch out for further announcements!”Clowning aroundDoors and floors enjoy a deep cleanLearning to make sweet musicA new door chain is fittedGraffiti removalA new notice board to help keep residents informedPhotographs courtesy of East London Life7
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Open Door Oct/Nov - Tower Hamlets Homes

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