Work is under way to investigate self-financing options for ALMOs, to safeguard a future with less state funding. The National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) is exploring ‘community ownership’ models that would allow ALMOs to raise private finance to support public funding. The NFA is due to report on its progress in the Spring. The models range from initiatives that would see the ALMO no longer 100% owned by the council, to the council transferring stock to the ALMO but where the local authority would still retain a financial interest in the stock. As the Decent Homes programme comes to an end, some councils have taken their ALMOs back in house, while others have transferred homes to a housing association. However, one idea gathering pace is the merger of councils’ housing services to create ‘super ALMOs’, streamlining costs and resources. This model is currently being trailblazed by four councils in east Kent with a number of London boroughs said to be considering the model. The east Kent ‘super ALMO’ is due to be up and running in April 2011. The NFA has stressed the need for ALMOs to explore other avenues other than the Decent Homes programme. Read more on 24dash.
No comments:
Post a Comment