Monday, 4 August 2008

What I have noticed from Decent Homes.

Over the last few months, talking to those I know on the estate. The main criticism of the Decent Homes project has been the confusion or lack of communication between the contractor & residents.

Plans seem to have been poorly drafted. Residents undertstood they would be consulted about what was going to happen in their homes. However once the builders are in. Some cases have left many angry that the works have left them with less storage space, no proper showers, external vents have been left exposed for pigeons to roost in.

One resident battled with the contractors to retain some tiles they had already installed and wanted to keep. Thankfully they won out. However this was not without the stress of fighting for it.

Yes this work will create stress and frustration as is the nature of the works. The council seems to sit back and let the contractor deal with the residents. Both unfair on these parties.

It was the council that made the caveat with residents that they would be involved in the decisons concerning their homes. For they are at the end of the day - peoples homes.

So many have told me that they will have to buy in time new kitchen cabinets as those supplied are too small. Replacing existing cupboard space with considerably less.

Would it have been cheaper for the council not to have provided cupboards and had a grant system where tenants could have gone and purchased the cabinets they need for their space requirements?

I also wonder about the elusive representative we have on the Decent Homes board. Supposedly representing tenants.

This is a large capital program and yes the works are
needed but I cannot help but wonder about the amount of waste, financially, in the delivery.

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