Housing Corporation News Release

Thursday 31 July 2008     Ref: 61/08

Financial toolkit on how to manage pitches for Gypsies and Travellers released by Housing Corporation

A new report aimed at educating housing associations about pitches for Gypsies and Travellers was released by the Housing Corporation today (Thursday 31 July 2008).
 
The Gypsies and Travellers Financial Toolkit for RSLs, commissioned by the Housing Corporation and written by the University of Birmingham’s Pat Niner and Bruce Walker, outlines how registered social landlords can make a business case for providing and managing pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and gives examples of how some housing associations have gone about this in the past.

The toolkit has been put together following an extensive search and analysis of available literature and guidance from Government and other sources. In addition, researchers carried out in-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews.

Housing Corporation Chief Executive Steve Douglas said, “Gypsies and Travellers are among the most disadvantaged groups in our society. With poorer health and higher infant mortality rates, they need housing associations’ help every bit as much as other vulnerable groups.

“At present very few housing associations consider providing sites for this group, with many thinking that it a role for the specialist. But that needn’t – and shouldn’t – be the case. Providing a place to live for people is the core business of associations and, as this toolkit shows, it is not only possible to provide and manage well-designed sites, it’s also financially viable.”

University of Birmingham Senior Lecturer and co-author of the report Pat Niner said, “Social landlords are skilled housing managers and have extensive experience of working with local authorities and others to provide and manage homes for people in need. Their expertise puts them in an ideal position to help Gypsies and Travellers enjoy higher standards of living in safer, healthier environments.”

Richmond Housing Partnership Head of Housing Caroline Hand said, “We strongly welcome this toolkit demonstrating the viability of Gypsy and Traveller sites and the positive aspects of providing and managing sites. We would encourage all RSLs to read it and consider how they could contribute to this important aspect of social inclusion.”

The full report can be found on the Housing Corporation's site.

Ends.

For more press information please contact Terry Sefton on 0207 393 2118.

Notes to editors

1) The Housing Corporation is responsible for regulating housing associations, which provide some two million homes across England.

2) The Housing Corporation is the Government's national affordable homes agency, responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating nearly 2,000 housing associations across England. The Corporation's £8.4 billion investment programme for 2008-11 is its biggest ever. Its previous investment programme of £3.9 billion for 2006-08 funded 92,752 homes; 52,929 of these for affordable rent, and 39,823 for affordable sale through the Government's HomeBuy initiatives, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.

3) The Housing Corporation is working with English Partnerships and Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed Homes and Communities Agency and Tenant Services Authority by early December.