July 2006

The Social HomeBuy chapter is now incorporated into the main guide, however unfortunately the New Build Homebuy and Open Market Homebuy chapters are still subject to some final amendments and are not yet available. As soon as they are an announcement will be made.

Following the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (ODPM) change of name to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) references in this guide have been updated where appropriate.

GENERAL

• General-1, para 10 etc in respect of ‘Authorised Signatories’ has been amended,  RSLs are encouraged to read this revised entry to ensure they meet the necessary requirements. 
• General-2, para 1.3 now explains that there is a direct  link to a copy of the Partnering Programme Agreement on the Capital Funding Guide homepage on the Corporation’s website.
• A copy of the “Standardised Terms of Engagement” referred to in the Partnering Programme Agreement is now available at General-2 Appendix 1.
• The Glossary definition in respect of Supported Housing has been revised

REC

• In order to access the suite of RCGF forms from the Corporation’s website, users should now type F2 – 28/97 in the search facility to locate the relevant circular. REC-2, para 2.1 has been amended.

Social Homebuy

• The new chapter providing guidance on eligibility and application processing is now available, together with an index list.  Sample SHB leases can be located via a direct link from the Capital Funding Guide’s homepage on the Corporation’s website, www.housingcorp.gov.uk.  

Sale

• Proposed revisions to this chapter are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. RSLs should refer to the current chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists. The sample leases are now available direct from our website via the link on the Capital Funding Guide webpage and are no longer contained within this chapter.

Homebuy

• Proposed revisions to this chapter to take into account the new Open Market Homebuy product are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. Homebuy Agents should refer to the current chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.

VPG

• Following the replacement of Voluntary Purchase Grant with Social Homebuy, this chapter has been substantially reduced. It now contains details relating to post VPG sales issues; for example: - repayment of discount; right of first refusal; further lending; annual monitoring. 

RTA

• Two new Approved Lenders, Cheval Property Finance plc and Church House Trust plc, have been added to the list at RTA-4. Paragraph 16.1 also explains that the most up-to-date list is available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website and gives the relevant web address.

KWL

• Fully qualified social workers (also know as Guardians) and children’s social workers, employed by The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and have attained the recognised professional social worker degree/diploma are now eligible to be treated as keyworkers and details have been added to Annex B under CAFCASS.
• Connexions Personal Advisors employed by either a local authority or Connexions Partnership are now eligible to be treated as key workers – Annex B has been updated accordingly.
• Intermediate Rent – Assured Shorthold Tenancies – no right of succession. Following legal advise that the final sentence at KWL-4 para 4.8 is incorrect this has now been removed.