Tenants ‘hampered’ for staying in the red

Luxury hampers are on the way to 10 lucky council tenants who qualified for a special Christmas draw run by Wigan & Leigh Housing.

Peter Gee, Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing, presents a luxury hamper to Joan Howarth of Hindley (centre), together with Carol Smith, scheme manager at Kildare Grange, Hindley.

Their names were drawn from a list of over 17,000 council tenants with clear rent accounts as part of a scheme to encourage all 23,500 tenants to keep out of the red.

One of the lucky winners is Joan Howarth of Hindley. She says: "It was a real surprise to find out that I’d won the hamper. I’ve always paid my rent on time because I’ve been taught that it’s the most important bill to pay and should be paid before anything else. It’s nice to know that you can get such a good prize for making sure your rent is paid."

Peter Gee, Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing adds: "We know that many of our tenants have to struggle with their finances, but the vast majority nevertheless pay their rent on time. We hold a twice yearly draw to reward those tenants that hold a clear rent account and thought a luxury hamper would be welcomed at Christmas."

Wigan & Leigh Housing's next draw will be held at the end of March 2006, when there will be cash prizes available to tenants with clear rent accounts.

Note to Editors

• For more information, please contact Steve Martlew, Business Management Services, Wigan & Leigh Housing on 01942 486537..
• Wigan & Leigh Housing is an arms length management organisation that manages 23,500 properties on behalf of Wigan Council.
• Tenants can pay their rent in person at any post office or over 30 PayPoint locations throughout the borough or at Wigan Civic Centre or Leigh Town Hall. They can also pay on the internet, over the phone, by standing order or the easiest way by Direct Debit.