Housing Corporation News Release

14 April 2008         29/08

Independent research finds regional stakeholders are positive about the Housing Corporation  

An ORC International report released today, has shown that 80% of respondents feel the Housing Corporation is 'very' or 'fairly' effective at a regional level.

The new research summarises responses from over 85 in-depth telephone interviews.  Stakeholders interviewed included Housing Associations, Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies.

Reasons respondents gave for the Housing Corporation being effective at a regional level included;

• providing important resources to the regions
• regulating effectively and fairly
• willingness to actively involve and support their stakeholders; and 
• possessing a substantial knowledge bank.

Housing Corporation Chief Executive Steve Douglas said, "These figures demonstrate the great work the Housing Corporation has done to maintain satisfaction in regional areas despite the uncertainty it has faced with its future. 

We look forward to continuing to work with out regional partners and building on this success as we move into the two new agencies."

Ends.

For more press information please contact Nicole Davey on 2027 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 is funding 84,000 homes; 49,000 of these are for affordable rent, and 35,000 are for affordable sale through the Government's HomeBuy initiatives, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.

3) The Corporation announced £3.3 billion allocations on 26 February 2008. This is 38% of the NAHP 2008-11 budget of £8.4 billion across the three-year programme and includes new allocations and existing commitments which will deliver completions in 2008-11. The new allocations total £2.1 billion, including £300 million for Open Market HomeBuy and £1.8 billion for new build homes for affordable rent and affordable sale. Allocation for specialist housing for older people is £125 million, providing 1,900 homes for affordable rent and 500 homes for affordable sale.

4) The Housing Corporation is working with English Partnerships and Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed Homes and Communities Agency and Office for Tenants and Social Landlords.