12 December 2003
Regional housing boards will be given more time to draw up future funding plans, but have been warned they must continue to reflect government priorities.
Following complaints that they had just six months to publish their first proposals, housing minister Keith Hill has told the nine English boards that their second set of recommendations – originally due next July – can wait until May 2005.
The government will then announce funding allocations for councils and housing associations during 2006/07 and 2007/08 in the summer of 2005, Hill told a Chartered Institute of Housing seminar.
Hill also announced that three boards – East of England, London and South East – will no longer share a single pot. The boards had demanded greater clarity over how much money was available in each region.
As expected, protection for local authorities that ensured they received at least 70% of previous capital allocations in 2004/05 and 2005/06 will disappear in two years.
'We see no reason for any such constraint in the future,' Hill told the seminar in London on December 8.
Hill was speaking on the same day as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister launched its new Housing Bill. As expected, the Bill opens the way for private developers to bid against registered social landlords for Housing Corporation grants.
The qualification period for right-to-buy sales will be extended from two to five years, while the RTB will not apply where a property is due to be demolished within 18 months. Owners wishing to resell their home will have to first offer it at full market price to the previous landlord.
PFdec2003
