09 June 2006
A key government target for bringing all social housing up to standard by 2010 will be narrowly missed, ministers admitted this week.
Local authorities are instead to be allowed to negotiate new deadlines with the Department for Communities and Local Government, especially where they are included in the sixth round of arm's-length management organisations, due to be revealed later this year.
Councils have until the end of July to apply for places in the final Almo round that offers extra money to achieve decent homes, Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly announced on June 7.
But Gwyneth Taylor, policy officer at the National Federation of Almos, said some councils that had set up Almos during the past three years would also welcome extensions. 'It means that programmes can be managed in a more sensible way,' she said.
According to the DCLG, about £40bn will have been spent bringing 3.6 million council and housing association properties up to standard by the end of the decade. But an estimated 3%–5% of social housing will remain below standard after the target date of December 2010.
Kelly said deadlines would be revised to ensure better value for money in procurement and where extra work was required to provide mixed communities. 'Decent homes on their own are not enough,' she said. 'We need decent communities, where people feel safe, secure and happy.'
The long-awaited review of Almos, which began in September 2004, was also finally due to be unveiled this week. Councils with Almos will have the opportunity to build homes and possibly leave the housing revenue account system.
The DCLG announced plans to test 'self-financing' among six councils that believe they would be better off outside the subsidy system, which recycles money raised in council rents across the country. Following pressure from the Local Government Association, the trials will be open to councils without Almos that demonstrate excellent management.
Councils wishing to transfer their stock to a housing association must also submit bids by July 3.
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