Local authorities, ALMOs and RSLs who wish to provide social rented sites for Gypsies and Travellers, new age travellers and travelling show people can now access guidance on bidding for funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The national housing and regeneration Agency has published its Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant Guidance 2009/10. The bidding guidance and application forms have been updated to reflect experience gained in the bidding round for 2008/2009, and the fact that responsibility for the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant now rests with the Agency.
Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency said:
"Ensuring that the needs of minority and vulnerable communities are catered for is an important part of our work, and we are committed to ensuring the delivery of additional sites for Gypsies and Travellers through the Government's funding programme.
The publication of this document is an important step in ensuring the bidding process is as clear and effective as possible."
Responsibilities of the HCA, details of the grant and bidding timetable, plus instructions for completing bids and next steps in the process are set out in the guidance.
The current bidding round will be broadly similar to that run previously by Communities and Local Government. However, the provision of sites and their delivery will become part of the Agency's Single Conversation - its model for working with public and private partners to deliver local priorities.