PLANS for the biggest ever shake-up of housing in Rossendale have been revealed.

Rossendale Council is preparing to change the way it looks after its housing stock to try and make £38million worth of improvements to its 4,200 houses.

It's Home Choice campaign sees four options put forward for the future running of homes available to the council. Tenants will choose the one they want.

The council is facing a £14m funding shortfall which bosses hope will be wiped out by one of the new options.

The four options are:

l Staying with the council as a landlord. This could mean the council may have to look at cuts to the housing service to help fund improvements.

l An arm's length management organisation (ALMO). The council would remain the landlord but a new company would take over the running of homes.

l Transfer to a not-for-profit housing organisation such as a housing association. Rossendale Council would no longer be the landlord but the organisation would be able to borrow millions to improve homes.

l A private finance initiative (PFI). This is a long-term contract where homes would be improved, managed and maintained for up to 30 years by a new company, which would hand them back to the council at the end of the contract.

At the campaign's launch conference, Councillor Marilyn Procter, executive member with responsibility for housing, allayed residents' fears that a housing association option would see rents increase. She said: "This option would not result in a rent increase because of rent setting policy set out by the Government.

"If anything the Government is trying to bring housing association rent in line with council housing rent."

As part of the Home Choice campaign tenants will be given detailed information about the four options via a series of newsletters, consultation events, surveys and telephone research.

Lynn Hurrell, director of housing management services, said: "This is one of the biggest decisions we are going to have to make in Rossendale so it's important that we get it right. The future of the council's homes is a vitally important issue. It's about bringing the homes, many of which were built between the 1930s and 1970s up to 21st century standards.

"The houses are structurally sound, it's more about providing things like new kitchens and bathrooms to help make people feel proud of where they live."

For residents concerned or wanting more information about the options an independent tenant advisor is available on freephone 0800 085 2207.