Bob Doris MSP for Glasgow Region today welcomed the news that the six Housing Associations in Glasgow who had been told by the GHA that their bids for second stage transfer were unsuccessful are to challenge this decision. The six Housing Associations were told by GHA that the Community Ownership Intentions Gateway was now complete and that these Housing Associations would have no right of appeal against this decision. The six Housing Associations were meeting today to look at a way forward for their bids. Mr Doris regretted that they had been given no recourse but to seek legal advice against the GHA.
 

Commenting, Mr Doris said: "Unlike the old Labour/Lib Dem administration, the new SNP Government has achieved progress on Second Stage Transfer and this is welcome news for thousands of Glasgow tenants.

"However the GHA's response to six SST bids was wrong.

"Housing Associations such as Maryhill Housing Association, which manages over 2,300 tenants and factors for 800 owner occupiers, are at the heart of the regeneration of Glasgow.

"It is crucial that community ownership is delivered as soon as possible.

"Faced with ever changing financial goal posts and stock valuations these Housing Associations have tried their best to meet the GHA's hurdles.  The GHA cannot be allowed to just arbitrarily shut the door on community ownership for thousands of Glasgow tenants.

"I am writing today to Sandra Forsyth, Tenant Chair of the GHA to ask that the GHA meet with the six housing associations involved and genuinely seek to make these second stage transfer bids work."