'Fourth Option' - investment to improve existing and build a new generation of first class council housing

Tenants, trade unions, councillors and MPs demand 'Fourth Option'
Step up the pressure to win
DCH has produced a new bulletin responding to recent press speculation that government policy on council housing is starting to shift in the right direction. It is designed for tenants meetings, union conferences and hustings meetings for the Labour leadership election.

If you are participating in the Labour leadership election (as a Labour Party member or member of an affiliated union) please raise questions from Austin Mitchell and DCH sent to all candidates. We would also appreciate help distributing the new bulletin - copy yourself or we can post printed copies to you.

Defend Council Housing has posted a 'Fourth Option' for council housing
e-petition on the Downing Street website.
Please forward on this email to help collect signatures

Austin argues "Reports that "Gordon Brown is ready to launch a new era of council house building" (Daily Mirror, May 2nd, 2007) are great news. At last a government that listens to the people. We all want to end the bullying and blackmailing of tenants and elected councillors, turn the page, and usher in a new era of first class public housing fit for the 21st century. The 'Fourth Option' demanded by Labour's conference three years running would benefit tenants across the UK."

In more sober tone the bulletin goes on to argue "Brown spinning headlines on council housing is encouraging but now's the time to turn soundbites into real commitments. Tenants, trade unions, councillors and MPs need to step up the pressure to win the 'Fourth Option' so council housing has a secure future. United we are a force to be reckoned with, a force that can win!"

Labour Party conference in September 2006 agreed "...Conference re-affirms the decisions of the 2004 and 2005 party conferences and our commitment to a 'Level playing field'. This should include ring-fencing all the income from tenants rents, capital receipts as well as equal treatment on debt write off and gap funding available to councils who transfer their homes to give tenants real choice and provide a long term future for council housing. Conference again calls on government to provide the 'fourth option' of direct investment to council housing as a matter of urgency" (Composite 10)

We need Ministers to open concrete discussions on a 'Fourth Option' framework that will:

  • Enable local authorities to improve all existing council homes and estates
  • Support local authorities start a new council house building programme
  • Ensure that local authorities have sufficient revenue to maintain all council homes in future years

    Please support the campaign:

    1. Help campaign against any stock transfer, PFI or ALMO proposals in your area
    2. Organise a delegation of tenants, councillors and trade unionists to attend the DCH national conference on July 12
    3. Order and distribute campaign material in your organisation and area (new DCH newspaper and 'Case for Council Housing in 21st Century Britain' pamphlet)
    4. Sign the e-petition and encourage others to sign too
    5. Ask your MP to sign EDM 136 Funding Decent Council Housing and join the Council Housing group of MPs at Parliament
    6. Put DCH's Ten Questions to all candidates in the Labour leadership election
    7. Distribute campaign material at tenants and union conferences and other events (email to get material posted to you)
    8. Organise a Stand Up For Council Housing public meeting in your area with a broad platform to support the demand for the 'Fourth Option'

    DCH is holding a national conference, July 12 at TUC Congress House, London

    Download conference Flyer & Programme, circulate locally and organise a delegation of tenants, trade unionists and councillors from your area to attend. Propose to your council that they sponsor the delegation - they always say they want tenants to be well informed and regularly fund tenants to attend other 'similar' events (individual tenants £5; sponsored tenants, trade unionists, councillors, etc £20)

    Further information from www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk

    • WHAT YOU CAN DO
    Organise a broad delegation of tenants, trade unionists and councillors to the DCH National Conference on July 12 at TUC Congress House, London

    Sign the 'Fourth Option' for council housing
    e-petition on the Downing Street website;

    Ask your MP to sign EDM 136 Funding Decent Council Housing

    Bulk order copies of the latest DCH newspaper to distribute to tenants, trade unionists and councillors in your area (£18 per 100 / £100 per 1000);

    Tenants say Stand Up For Council Housing

    Raise DCH's 'Ten Questions to Candidates'

    Affiliate & donate to DCH