Housing Corporation News Release

New tool launched to set a national standard on sharing information about applicants for re-housing

12 November 2007                                           ref:   107/07

A new tool which aims to set a national standard on information sharing about applications for re-housing has been launched by the Housing Corporation.

The Housing Information Sharing Protocol has been developed to provide a comprehensive and detailed framework to help develop a consistent information base for  an effective allocation process and for staff to manage tenancies effectively.

It is aimed at the range of agencies including housing associations and local authorities that nominate households for re-housing, and landlords that house these households.

Using the protocol will assist with:

• effective and efficient information exchange about the needs of nominated households;
• preventing rent arrears and anti social behaviour;
• performance monitoring;
• research and statistical analysis; and
• training and promotion of good practice.

Housing Corporation Chief Executive, Steve Douglas said, "In areas where good and effective nominations arrangements are in place, housing providers work seamlessly together to meet the needs of homeless people, and much can be learnt from them.

"There are however areas where relationships aren’t as effective as partners would like. Housing associations, councils and ALMOs can look to adopt and adapt this tool to their local needs to help them to deliver a better service and make better use of their resources.

"It should help those who make nominations provide the required information and understand what landlords need."

This protocol is now to be trialled by a number of volunteer pathfinder local authorities and housing associations. Each volunteer will then undertake a self-evaluation exercise, which could lead to revisions of the protocol.

Agencies interested in taking part in the trail should contact Gera Drymer, Policy Manager, The Housing Corporation, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN or email gera.drymer@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

There will be a session on the protocol at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s conference on homelessness later this month.

Ends. 

For further press information, please  contact Sandra White on 020 7393 2094.

Notes to editors:

1. The protocol has been developed following consultation with CLG, Department of Health, Local Government Association, National Housing Federation, Local authorities and housing associations. 

2. The Housing Corporation set up the Homelessness Action Team (HAT) earlier this year, as part of the programme to carry through the commitments made in the Corporation's homelessness strategy. Working alongside CLG’s special advisors, the HAT is designed to support housing associations and local authorities in tackling homelessness.

3. Last year, half of all association lettings in England resulted from local authority nominations, but there were huge variations that cannot be explained wholly by differing demand. For example, in the South East council nominations accounted for 71% of association lettings, but in North West it was only 27%. Even there, one council had 71%, while one of its neighbours just 3%.

4. The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating over 1,500 housing associations across England. Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.9 billion for 2006-08 will fund 84,000 homes; 49,000 of these will be for affordable rent, and 35,000 will be for affordable sale through the Government's HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.

5. The Housing Corporation is working with English Partnerships, the Audit Commission and Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed new Homes and Communities Agency and the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords.