Housing Renewal is about more than just renewing bricks and mortar. It is the key to the renewal and regeneration of areas and communities. Bolton is justifiably proud of its very successful housing renewal and regeneration services. We work closely with partners, including local residents, to ensure we provide a customer-centred, quality service resulting in more sustainable communities.
Bolton MBC is located in the North West of England.
It is part of the Greater Manchester conurbation and has a population of 261,325.
Bolton Council has delegated both public sector housing and private sector housing regeneration to Bolton at Home, its arms length management organisation (ALMO), and is the only ALMO in the country to have this dual function.
Bolton has strong links with many partner organisations and with other social landlords in the area through Bolton Community Homes.
Bolton's successful approach to delivering housing renewal and regeneration includes:
- Putting the customer at the very centre of housing renewal. Bolton has adopted this approach and has replaced a "one size fits all" approach with a "tool box" of renewal options which can be customised depending upon the needs and aspirations of local communities.
- Making extra effort to reach out to those people who are vulnerable and/or socially excluded. Bolton prides itself on developing and using a range of innovative consultation formats. There should be strong emphasis on quality consultation being a creative and inclusive exercise. Through this process, customers can have a genuine influence over what decisions are made that affect their homes, leading to more stable and sustainable communities.
- Trying not to think in "silos" - we believe holistic working is the best way to deliver sustainable outcomes. Partnership working is at the heart of Bolton's approach to housing renewal. Without the support of an effective network of partnerships, it is difficult to produce a quality, customer-centred housing renewal strategy.
- Getting the processes right first. Whatever innovation or actions are taken and however ambitious a programme is, it is imperative that the processes being used are robust. Bolton regards it as essential that actions are firmly grounded by securing the support and participation of local communities. Without this, we feel it is unlikely that sustainability will be achieved.
