This film, produced for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, looks at the issues facing social housing in the borough. Speaking with several residents about the poor state of their homes, the film then looks at work the council is doing to modernise and regenerate estates with limited resources but new initiatives and how residents are taking part in the process. The film begins with a number of tenants listing their problems living in council accommodation. Title: Breaking the Crisis Through...

This film, produced for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, looks at the issues facing social housing in the borough. Speaking with several residents about the poor state of their homes, the film then looks at work the council is doing to modernise and regenerate estates with limited resources but new initiatives and how residents are taking part in the process. The film begins with a number of tenants listing their problems living in council accommodation. Title: Breaking the Crisis Through Choice The film shows area of council houses and apartments and a commentary accompanies the film. The commentary outlines the demand for housing against the poor quality of available housing stock. Title: Mrs Shields Resident – Delaval Road Mrs Shields has lived in her house for 35 years and on camera she describes her living conditions. The film shows some of fittings and rooms in the house. She would like to see some improvements for her and her son. Title: Pauline McCreedy – Resident – Tilery Estate. She complains of no heating upstairs and where she can provide heat, she can’t afford to have heat in one of the bedrooms as it is too expensive. She needs to provide warm living conditions for her young son who has a chronic illness, She would also like to see modernisation to bring the house up to a good standard. She demonstrates how poor security is as windows can be easily opened or removed from the outside. Title: Mr Collins – Resident – Queens Park Mr Collins talks of security issues and episodes of anti-social behaviour in the apartment building. The film shows the easily accessible corridors leading to residents flats. Pauline talks of security with views outside showing how people may be at risk of assault because the nature of the construction of the buildings. Views of vandalised buildings are shown over her comments about anti-social behaviour. Title: Ronnie Muir – Resident – Sheltered Accommodation He outlines difficult in accessing toilets, where he lives with shared facilities. Title: Barry Hutchcraft – Resident – Portrack Estate He talks about the general demise of the area that was a pleasant place to live. The commentary talks about the need for housing for those with special needs. At home resident talks about her difficulties negotiating the stairs in her house. Title: Audrey Oliver – Awaiting home adaptations. Her house adaptation, with the inclusion of a stairlift will allow her to stay in her house rather than move. The film shows a building surrounded by scaffolding as the commentary states that action is now taking place to improve matters for residents. But resources for the council are limited. Title: Dot Wharton – The Clarences Dot says that they are hoping to set up a state management board so that they can be part of any discussions with the council regarding estate improvements. A number of residents appear on film in parts of the Clarence estate with positive views on the action taken. The film shows a building site with a hoarding showing the name of a housing association as the commentary outlines the council’s initiative of working with these agencies which also includes housing developers and the Teesside Development Corporation. The film shows more of the new stock available in the borough. The commentary goes on to outline the methods which will improve living choices for residents, including low cost home ownership, regenerating unpopular estates and giving people choice of tenure. More views follow of building and renovation work and the assertion that the borough’s initiative to improve social housing is working. Residents Barry Hutchcraft and Mrs Shields appear once again on film with both expressing hope for the future. Views follow of some of the delipidated buildings and of the residents who appeared in the film. End title: Breaking the Crisis Through Choice.