Housing Corporation Announcement

Last call!
Time is running out for expressions of interest  for IGP funding

13/11/06         

There is only one week to go for initial proposals for projects to be taken forward in the Housing Corporation's new Innovation and Good Practice (IGP) programme.  The deadline for expressions of interest is 5.00pm on Monday 20 November 2006.

The 2007/2009 programme covers five themes: land availability;  barriers to low cost home ownership; responding to an ageing population, housing management in the 21st century and tackling respect.

Michèle Low, Head of the Centre for Research and Market Intelligence (CRMI) said, “This new IGP bid round offers an exciting opportunity to develop innovative and practical projects reflecting the current issues that housing associations are grappling with."

Full bidding details are outlined in a Housing Corporation prospectus which is available on the Housing Corporation website - www.housingcorp.gov.uk

Ends.

Note editors:

1. Key dates to note
• 20th November 2006 - deadline for expressions of interest
14th February 2007 - closing date for full applications
23rd April 2007 - successful bids announced.
• The IGP programme is a revenue grant administered by the Housing Corporation to encourage the development and testing of new ideas and proposals and to generate and promote good practice in the delivery of housing services within the housing association sector.

• Since 1995 the Housing Corporation has invested over £75 million through its IGP programme. Over ten years, the IGP programme has funded a range of pioneering projects, developed innovative solutions and highlighted good practice.
 
• 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 new HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.