HCA Targets Large Landlords

A radical shake-up of social housing funding could allow a handful of large housing associations to snap up the bulk of government funding until 2015. The new funding regime is being drawn up by the HCA as it seeks to spend the £1.9 billion of development cash which emerged unscathed from October’s comprehensive spending review. Under revised rules, associations will be able to bid for a programme of development of an agreed number of homes over four years rather than on a scheme-by-scheme basis. The revamp marks a return to the ‘partnership’ approach to development first devised by HCA predecessor the Housing Corporation. A group of larger developing landlords, including 61,500-home association Circle Anglia and Affinity Sutton, which owns 55,000 homes, have already had informal discussions with the HCA. The agency plans to publish details of the bidding process in the new year. Read more on Inside Housing.