April 2006

The guide has been substantially updated to reflect the new NAHP, the new approach to programme management and payments, and the removal of Total Cost Indicators.

Details in respect of the new low cost home ownership projects; Social Homebuy, NewBuild Homebuy and Open Market Homebuy are currently being finalised, and will be available in due course.

Other headline changes include:

GENERAL 

• The inclusion of the Partnering Programme Agreement arrangements in GENERAL-2. 
• All Funding Conditions for 2006/08 have been updated and bought together at GENERAL-1,3. 
• The section at GENERAL-5 in respect of S106 agreements has been updated 
• Reference to supported housing at GENERAL -8 has been updated 
• The Investment Glossary has been updated
• Detail of the Egan Agenda added as GENERAL-13.

REC
 
Following a major review of the Grant Recovery policy which is due to take effect from 1 April 06, a revised chapter will be published shortly.  In the interim, high level information on the changes is produced at the beginning of the REC chapter  Any questions on their implementation should be addressed to the Housing Corporation enquiries team on 0845 230 7000.  Aspects of grant recovery not covered by the changes will continue to be governed by existing guidance within this chapter.
 
REPAIR
 
Repair-1 , para 5 etc in respect of Stock Condition Survey has been renamed Asset Management and updated .
 
MILESTONES 
 
A new chapter currently under construction; this will cover milestone targets to aid monitoring and effective programme delivery and will be published in due course.
 
PAYMENTS
 
A new chapter currently under construction; this will provide guidance on applications for payment. In the meantime RSLs wishing to claim payment of grant should telephone 020 7393 2234.
 
SOCIAL HOMEBUY

A new chapter currently under construction; this will provide guidance on eligibility  and application processing and will be published in the near future.
 
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 existing chapter and continue to use the existing leases. RSLs should contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.

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 existing chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.
 
RTA

• The RTA suite of forms can now be downloaded from the Corporation’s website
• Further guidance on rural exemptions added at RTA-3, para 2.4
   

CHALLENGE FUND

Chapter removed – please refer to previous versions of this guide.

PP

Chapter removed and incorporated in General-2. 

KWL

Annex B and B(ii) entries in respect of Health and Probation expanded. This is also due for further revision and an update is to be published in due course.