Private firms rush for social housing grant

28 Jul 05
Nearly a quarter of the initial bids received for social housing grant over the next two years are from private developers and other non-registered social landlords.

29 July 2005

Nearly a quarter of the initial bids received for social housing grant over the next two years are from private developers and other non-registered social landlords.

Just 55% of the 45 single bids submitted to the Housing Corporation for its 2006–2008 National Affordable Housing Programme were from housing associations. But RSLs are involved in 95% of the 62 consortiums hoping to receive grant.

Although the corporation has yet to announce how much money is available, the total is expected to exceed the £3.3bn allocated to housing associations for 2004/06.

Following the decision to offer grant to non-RSLs, bidders were required to show they met legal, financial and technical standards.

Housing Corporation chief executive Jon Rouse said he was delighted by the range of bidders that expressed an interest: 'Our commitment to efficiency and the benefits of our partnering approach mean that, not only will we have more money, we will be building even more homes per pound spent than ever before.'

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