TENANTS who have not yet voted on transfer of their homes from the district council to Forest of Dean Housing are being urged to do so as soon as possible.
The thousands of council tenants are guaranteed a secure future if the transfer goes ahead, says Councillor Lynn Sterry, chair of the shadow board of Forest of Dean Housing.
The not-for-profit organisation, which will take ownership of 3,700 council houses if a postal ballot goes in their favour, has given a written guarantee that it will spend millions of pounds bringing their homes up to modern standards, keep rents affordable and protect tenants' rights.
"Many have already voted but I would ask any tenant who has not yet voted to do so," said Cllr Sterry.
"A few of the people I've talked to thought that it wouldn't matter if they didn't vote as they received full housing benefit and their rent was paid for them.
"Their votes are important. Transferring council houses to Forest of Dean Housing will mean that more resources are available to refurbish the homes and ensure more quality affordable housing is available in the Forest of Dean."