There have been numerous articles in recent weeks about private developers getting Housing Corporation grant (19 November, pages 9 and 20).

The key argument against the move has been the concern that private developers are not regulated to the same degree as registered social landlords and do not face the restrictions and costs associated with meeting the corporation’s requirements.

At first, this argument appears to have considerable merit. But if one assumes that the degree of regulation and accountability required from developers is based on a rigorous analysis of the risks by the ODPM, this may be an unprecedented opportunity for social landlords.

RSLs should be demanding equality in accountability and regulation. They should ask not that private developers be regulated in the same way as RSLs, but that RSLs be regulated in the same way as developers.

This could offer RSLs the opportunity to further improve their efficiency and reduce development costs. The resulting savings could meet the ODPM’s target and enable the delivery of more affordable housing.

Richard Monk, Comment via the Housing Today website

Source

Housing Today