MORE than £99m could be invested in council homes in Hartlepool if tenants opt to transfer to a housing organisation.

This week, council tenants in the town will receive the formal consultation document about the proposal to transfer the ownership and management of their homes to Housing Hartlepool - a new, independent non-profit making housing organisation.

Hartlepool Borough Council believes transfer is in the best interests of tenants, because it does not have all the resources needed to improve homes and maintain services.

But it will be the tenants who will decide if it goes ahead in a ballot to be held later this summer.

If the transfer goes ahead, Housing Hartlepool would be able to invest more than £99m on repairs and improvements to the houses - three times more than the council could provide.

Cath Purdy, chief tenants services officer, said: "Throughout the transfer process the council has been open and frank with tenants about the future of their homes and housing service.

"The stark reality is the council can neither invest what is needed in homes and services, nor deliver the level of improvements that Housing Hartlepool could to meet tenants' aspirations.

"The truth is that things simply cannot stay as they are.

"The council firmly believes that transfer is the best way forward but it will be for tenants to decide."

The formal consultation document explains what transfering to Housing Hartlepool would mean for tenants, their homes and services, their rents, and their rights and entitlements.

Tenants can send their comments on the document to the council using the pre-paid reply card and the council will consider all the comments before a ballot. Tenants will be able to vote by post or phone.

As part of the consultation process every tenant will be visited at their home by a council worker who will be able to answer any questions they may have. People can also contact the council's freephone line, on 0800 052 2208, or the Independent Tenants' Advisor, on 0500 844 111.