Policy dominance of numbers game and ownership drive distorts housing provision
The drive to build and the competition between parties to compare their records purely in terms of the numbers game arguably results in other policy areas being neglected read more
Government's changes to social housing policy risk increasing residualisation
Shift among younger generation towards private renting provides further reason for government to talk down ownership expectations read more
Is unsecured issuance the future for housing associations seeking new finance?
Security now imposes a major cost on HARPs: it is expensive, inflexible and time-consuming to manage. Unsecured issuance offers flexible access to debt read more
Beware the rating agencies as fall-out from government's reforms begins to emerge
What a difference a year makes. In the aftermath of 2010's equivocal General Election result most of the sector expected a reduced level of investment in social housing but ... read more
VAT update: amendment to design & build liability, and temporary staff costs charges
Proposed amendment to rules on construction VAT could add to development costs; and many landlords may have over-paid on temporary staff costs read more
Demise of grant funding system prompts queries over post-2015 funding model
Move towards means-tested rents could undermine sector's cohesive identity read more
Future shape of regulation under question due to sector's changing financial model
Beware too great a change: the savings that regulation delivers in terms of lower interest rates are thought to outweigh the costs of regulation itself read more
Continued fall in development volumes points to acute need for new subsidy model
Government must accept that one gets what one pays for: relative importance of housing as a spending priority during austerity is under question read more
Complex interplay between grant rates, market-based rents and tenants' affordability
Introduction of affordable rent and reduction in HCA grant rates are set to deliver 35 per cent fewer homes than in the previous funding period read more
Challenging times for Supporting People service providers prompt cost-cutting drive
SP commissioners seek to cut prices, meaning providers have little choice but to find cost savings without damaging the core service read more
Review your pension liabilities now to avoid serious business impact in future
At a time fo rising costs and a drive to cut operational spending, pensions issues entail a potentially serious business impact read more
Sector must tackle business intelligence and reporting systems to improve performance
The business intelligence and reporting solutions currently in place within social housing organisations do not meet their requirements read more
Caution needed over landlords' participation in group framework agreements · 02-11-2011 · Bill Bullivant, Clarke WillmottSale & leaseback offers new funding route, but involves index-linked pricing risk · 02-11-2011 · Jonathan Cox, Anthony Collins solicitorsStrong financial year could trigger political pressure to document community benefits · 02-11-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineAffordable rent hit to housing benefit bill threatens tension between Shapps and DWP · 06-10-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineCouncils' asset management consultation offers scope to liberate capital receipts · 06-10-2011 · Catherine Hand, Trowers & HamlinsREIT reform consultation could offer new funding route for housing association RPs · 06-10-2011 · Andrew Crawford, Devonshires solicitorsRevolving credit facilities compare well with cost of funding through bond issuance · 06-10-2011 · Barry Greyling, Evolution SecuritiesHistory of affordable housing development shows that public funding is essential · 06-10-2011 · Andrew Heywood, independent consultantLand shortage and its inflated cost act as fundamental constraint on housing supply · 01-09-2011 · Kate Allen, Social Housing magazineHousing association insolvency: legal options in the absence of bail-out or rescue · 01-09-2011 · Natalie Elphicke, Addleshaw Goddard solicitors