Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2003): Social Housing - UK

ALLOCATION OF ACCOMMODATION: CODE OF GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Wetherby: 2002

Code provides information about the allocation of social housing under part 6 of the 1996 Housing Act. It gives guidance on how housing authorities should discharge their functions and apply the various statutory criteria in practice. It is not a substitute for legislation.

AS SAFE AS HOUSES?

D Walker

Public Finance, Oct 25^th-31^st 2002, p.24-27

Registered Social Landlords, now the main providers of public housing, are becoming subject to increased scrutiny and regulation by the Treasury, the Audit Commission and the National Audit Office. This may lead to restrictions on their somewhat colourful borrowing arrangements. At the same time, local authorities have no funding to build new homes. The Registered Social Landlords are the government's only option for expanding the supply of affordable housing, but they need to secure their independence from the state.

MAKING BETTER USE OF LOCAL AUTHORITY ASSETS: A CONSULTATION LETTER

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

2002

Consultation about the Department's proposals to allow local authorities to use the proceeds of the disposal of certain housing revenue account property for the provision of new affordable housing.

MODULAR MUDDLE

A Mornement

Guardian Society, November 20^th, 2002, p.2-3

Flat-pack homes are in demand. The government sees them as a solution to the key worker housing crisis and housing associations are keen to build more. However the construction industry is not so keen.

PART OF THE PROBLEM OR PART OF THE SOLUTION? SOCIAL HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICIES AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN BRITAIN

H Pawson and K Kintrea

Journal of Social Policy, vol. 31, 2002, p.643-667

Drawing on evidence from two recent national studies in England and Scotland, article shows that allocation policies contribute to social exclusion in three main ways:

• Firstly, a large proportion of social landlords restrict eligibility for social housing.
• Secondly, mechanisms within allocation systems segregate the most excluded in the worst residential areas.
• Thirdly, through the 1990s allocation policies have become increasingly coercive, reducing tenant choice.

On the other hand, while aspects of allocations contribute to social exclusion at the individual level, they may be justified by their role in promoting sustainable residential communities.

PUT OUT THE FIRE

D Blackman

Roof, Nov/Dec 2002, p.24-27

People living in housing in multiple occupation face a disproportionate number of health and safety risks. Article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of licensing landlords.

'RACE', HOUSING AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION

P Somerville and A Steele (eds)

London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2002

This book provides an overview of race issues and housing policy and how they contribute to social exclusion. It examines the different aspects of the situation that black and other ethnic minority groups face including:

• their housing needs;
• the procedures for allocation of housing;
• patterns of housing settlement of black and other minority groups;
• lack of employment opportunities for black and other ethnic minority staff in housing associations.

TURNING THE CORNER

S Nickalls

Roof, Nov/Dec 2002, p.20-22

Stock transfer is the preferred option of the Scottish Executive for dealing with local authorities with substantial housing debt and a backlog of repairs. However there are other possible approaches including prudential borrowing, arm's-length management companies, transfer to a tenants' co-operative and adjustments to the 75/25 split in capital receipts.