HCA to drop social housing regulation
The government has published its review of the Homes and Communities Agency and says it is to separate out its social housing function to allow a better focus on housebuilding.
The review, launched in early 2016, says the HCA should have a renewed purpose to support housebuilding and land supply.
The HCA seems to be the government’s weapon of choice in allocating funding to speed up land delivery and housebuilding. Around £5bn was earmarked at the Conservative party conference through the home building and accelerated construction funds.
The government has published its review of the Homes and Communities Agency and says it is to separate out its social housing function to allow a better focus on housebuilding.
The review, launched in early 2016, says the HCA should have a renewed purpose to support housebuilding and land supply.
The HCA seems to be the government’s weapon of choice in allocating funding to speed up land delivery and housebuilding. Around £5bn was earmarked at the Conservative party conference through the home building and accelerated construction funds.
Sir Edward Lister, chairman of the HCA, said the agency had a strong track record of delivering the government’s housing targets but needs to do more.
“We therefore fully welcome the recommendations of the government’s review. We are already implementing a number of changes to our operating model to help speed up delivery and promote new approaches to housebuilding,” he said.
“We will set out how we intend to play a more active role in the delivery of the government’s increased housing ambitions in the coming months.”
Last week Estates Gazette revealed the HCA was asking staff to reapply for roles as it reorganised its internal structure, though there were no forced redundancies.
See: HCA undertakes reshuffle as future is decided
The tailored review found the HCA “well-positioned to help achieve national housebuilding ambitions”, and said it will play a vital role in creating a housing market that works for everyone.
Housing and planning minister Gavin Barwell said that as a new standalone body, the regulator will ensure the social housing sector continues to benefit from strong and independent governance.
A consultation is being launched today on using a Legislative Reform Order to establish the separate organisations. Separately the regulator is consulting on introducing fees for social housing regulation.
Click here to read the review in full.
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