How housing associations are rising to the challenge of meeting affordable housing needs in England was the main focus of a speech by Housing Corporation Acting Deputy Chief Executive Peter Marsh when he addresses delegates at the September annual National Housing Federation conference in Birmingham.
Peter Marsh explored the challenge facing the sector following the publication of the Green Paper, which announced a 50% boost in Government funding for new affordable housing. He set out how the Housing Corporation, as an investor, is preparing for the step change in new supply.
Issues explored in his speech included the change to the regulatory regime. He said:
"Just as tenants say their relationship with their landlord can be too paternalistic, so too can the relationship between housing associations and the regulator. A new approach to the collection and publication of performance information will drive improvement and place more power in the hands of both boards and tenants."
Talking about the future role of the regulator in unlocking the door, he added:
"There continues to be a key and legitimate role for the regulator to ask housing associations - Are you fulfilling your objects to your best endeavours to serve not only your current tenants but also the other 200,000 households who need homes in the next three years ahead?"
On the newly published NHF report Building Futures, he commented:
"We have had a healthy debate nationally - after all, if the regulator and the trade body were in total agreement, perhaps the relationship would be too cosy. We can't be accused of that this year.
In February we said housing associations could theoretically draw down between £17 and £19 billion. Our analysis of housing associations' 2007 business plan tells us that £17 billion is the figure associations are now planning to borrow over the next five years. Collectively we are on the same playing field."
Housing Finance Conference
1 November 2007: Leeds United
Northern Housing Consortium
Tel.: 0191 5661000
Smaller Housing Associations Conference
1 November 2007: London
National Housing Federation
Tel. No: 0870 010 7676
InSTEP Bringing Communities Together Regional Conference
5 November 2007: The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
InSTEP
Tel. No: 0500 844 111
Performance Management Conference
5 November 2007: York Racecourse
Northern Housing Consortium
Tel. No: 0191 5661000
Building Affordable and Sustainable Homes Conference - Implications of the Housing Green Paper
6 November 2007: Central London
Capita Conferences
Tel. No: 0207 808 5315
The Plot Sale Process Demystified (Free seminar)
7 November 2007: London WC2B
Manches LLP
Tel. No: 01865 722106
Supporting Older People Conference
7 November 2007: Manchester
National Housing Federation
Tel. No: 0870 010 7676
Risk Management Conference
13 November 2007: London
National Housing Federation
Tel. No: 0870 010 7676
CIH Conference and Exhibition in the Eastern Region
13-15 November 2007: Cambourne
Chartered Institute of Housing
Tel. No: 024 7685 1772
Community Wardens Conference
14-15 November 2007: Dunblane
Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland
Tel. No: 0131 225 4544
InSTEP Bringing Communities Together Regional Conference
15 November 2007: Old Trafford, Manchester
InSTEP
Tel. No: 0500 844 111
Antisocial Behaviour / Disability Discrimination Act (Free seminar)
20 November 2007: London WC2B
Manches LLP
Tel. No: 01865 722106
IT in Housing Conference and Exhibition
20-21 November 2007: Olympia Conference Centre, London
National Housing Federation
Tel. No: 0870 010 7676
Northern Housing Summit
20-21 November 2007: York Racecourse
Northern Housing Consortium
Tel. No: 0191 5661000
CIH Lettings and Homelessness Conference
21-22 November 2007: Nottingham
Chartered Institute of Housing
Tel. No: 024 7685 1772
Rent Arrears Conference - For Local Authorities, ALMOS and RSLs Conference
22 November 2007: Central London
Capita Conferences
Tel. No: 0207 808 5315
Arrears Management in the Hardest Cases Conference
23 November 2007: Central London
Capita Conferences
Tel. No: 020 7808 5289
Tenant Engagement Conference
28 November 2007: Central London
Capita Conferences
Tel. No: 0207 808 5315
Rural Housing Conference & Exhibition
29 November 2007: London
Chartered Institute of Housing
Tel. No: 024 7685 1772
For a comprehensive list of events, please visit the Forthcoming Events section of our website.
Homelessness and Allocations Law: Advanced
8-9 November 2007: London
Homelessness Law: Introductory
27-28 November 2007: London
Housing Cases in the County Court
21-22 November 2007: Manchester
Housing Law: Update
6 November 2007: London
19 November 2007: Bristol
Housing Possession Hearings: Practice and Procedure
21-22 November 2007: London
Recent Homelessness Developments (AM Briefing)
28 November 2007: London
Security of Tenure: Introductory
13-14 November 2007: London
21-22 November 2007: Bristol
Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes
6 November 2007: Bristol
Tied and Agricultural Occupants: The Prevention of Homelessness
30 November 2007: London
Shelter Training. Tel. No: 0844 515 1155.