Sector Watchdog Changes Name To 'Regulator Of Social Housing'

The regulation arm of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has relaunched as the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). It follows the Homes and Communities Agency’s investment functions being rebranded and relaunched as Homes England. In a letter to housing providers, Fiona MacGregor, executive director of regulation at the RSH, said a previous review of the HCA “concluded that the HCA’s function as the regulator of social housing should be separated from its investment functions, and established as a standalone body to reaffirm the government’s commitment to a strong, independent regulator with credibility within the sector”. Read the letter on the HCA website.

Minister Rejects Call For Rent Cut Review

The government has rejected a call from former civil service head Sir Bob Kerslake to commission an independent review of the social housing rent cut. Lord Bob Kerslake, a crossbench peer who also chairs Peabody, was one of three peers to table an amendment to the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which would require the government to commission an independent evaluation of the four-year 1% rent cut. Lord Kerslake believes the findings are necessary to help ensure the government properly evaluates the impact of the cut when it is deciding on rent-setting after the cut comes to an end in 2020. Read more on Inside Housing.

DWP Loses Universal Credit Documents Appeal

The Department for Work and Pensions has lost an upper tribunal appeal over documents concerning the progress of universal credit implementation. The documents include an independent project review on the problems so far encountered in rolling out the scheme, a risk register, an issues register of problems with the scheme, and a milestone schedule, detailing how far along the full implementation of the scheme is. The department claimed release of the documents would have ‘a chilling effect’ on the workings of the DWP. The judge ruled there was a strong public interest in releasing the documents, and denied there would be a ‘chilling effect’ if the documents were released to the public. Read more on Inside Housing.

Independent Review Is Nothing of the Sort

The government has announced an "independent" review into how more social homes can be built. But how independent is it? The review will be led by Keith House and Natalie Elphicke, wife of Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover. She published a controversial report with the rightwing think-tank Policy Exchange back in 2010.Her report claimed that housing associations could raise £30 billion a year – and build 100,000 new homes – by raising money directly from pension funds, saving the taxpayer £5bn by relieving government of the need to invest in social housing. Keith House, meanwhile, is the Liberal Democrat leader of Eastleigh council with a strong track record on housing but who is equally recognised for sitting on as many committees as he possibly can. A scathing piece on the Conservative Home website questioned whether councillor House had the right attitude towards civic duty effectively accusing him of lining his pockets at the public's expense. Read more on 24dash.

Rent Arrears – Parliamentary Written Answer

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the level of rent arrears owed to local authorities and registered social landlords following the introduction of the under-occupancy penalty.

Mr Prisk: The Government is closely monitoring the situation and has commissioned an independent evaluation. We expect the interim findings to be published early next year.

DECC Redefines Fuel Poverty

The Government has set out a new definition of fuel poverty to take better account of the problems of households struggling with low incomes. Under the current definition, a ‘fuel poor household’ is one that would need to spend 10% of its income on energy a year. Following an independent review and a consultation, the new definition has been set out to “ensure support is targeted at those who need it most”. Now, a household is defined as fuel poor if its total income is below the poverty line (taking into account energy costs), and where energy costs are higher than is typical.  Read more on the Housing Excellence website.

Government Fails in Bid to Block Council Tax Benefit Review

The Government has failed to block a bid by peers ordering Eric Pickles to commission a formal independent review of council tax support three years after its implementation.  The amendment - tabled by Labour peer Baroness Hollis of Heigham - was successfully voted in favour by peers - despite attempts by the Government to block it. Critics of the reform point out that cuts will be pushed onto low-income working age claimants as pensioners will be protected.  Thus, those who have never paid council tax could find they’re liable for payments of up to £200 a year.  Read more on 24dash.