FAIFLEY tenants are being asked to vote on the future ownership and care of their homes.

Hundreds of properties are set to transfer from Faifley Housing Association (FHA), who announced last year their future was "not viable in the long term".

FHA opened a ballot last week on passing ownership of the 332 properties to Caledonia Housing Association as the latest step in a 12-month transfer process.

The ballot is open until February 7.

Catherine Low, Faifley’s interim director, said: “The transfer to Caledonia will ensure rents are more affordable whilst delivering long overdue investment in improvements to homes and the area.

"Caledonia is a great fit for us, and they understand the importance of delivering what our tenants have told us matter most to them.

"They have made a great offer which will benefit every Faifley tenant.

"The ballot will close on February 7, 2022, but we are urging our tenants to cast their vote as soon as they receive their ballot paper. The transfer can only proceed if tenants vote for it.”

Caledonia has promised a rent freeze for tenants for the next five years if they approve the transfer.

They have also offered:

£2.73 million investment in improving existing homes over the next five years;

£412,000 to be spend to improve the local external environment over the next five years;

Keeping local service provision but offering new was to access Caledonia services.

They also said a Faifley Customer Review Group would be set up to give a voice on local issues.

In a formal consultation in November, 97 per cent of tenants who gave feedback were in favour of the transfer.

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of Caledonia, said: “Caledonia is a forward-thinking housing association which, like Faifley, is committed to providing homes and services that make life better for our many tenants.

"From our very first conversations with the Faifley team, it became clear they would be an ideal partner for us.

"By transferring into Caledonia, there will be more funds for improvements to tenants’ homes and the local area, to keep rents lower, improve services and meet the needs of local tenants and factoring service customers.”

In 2020, FHA launched an urgent review after realising "things weren't right" in governance and financial management back in 2019.