The launch of another Home Office acronym – one that sounds suspiciously like the much-derided NASS – will fill many in the sector with a sense of dread. However, NOMS – the National Offenders Management Service as opposed to the National Asylum Support Service – has the potential to be a force for good so long as it learns from the mistakes made by NASS.

The aim of providing supported housing as opposed to traditional bail hostels or custody for people on bail is entirely sensible (page 7). It will have a number of benefits from the Home Office’s point of view – principally that it will save money and free up much-needed prison places – and presents some interesting opportunities for the housing sector. Those providers who already supply some of NASS’s 70,000 bed spaces face having their contracts cut when they come up for renewal later this year – they will undoubtedly be interested in the the potential of NOMS.

However, the sector had its fingers burned the last time the Home Office turned to social landlords for assistance. When officials were setting up NASS, the story goes that they didn’t even talk to councils and housing associations about providing accommodation and instead went straight to private sector landlords. Charles Clarke made many demands on social housing in his recent speech at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s presidential dinner – that is fine. His officials have been making the right noises this time about placing social landlords at the top of their to-do list. But this is Clarke’s chance to show the sector he wants a two-way relationship. Let’s hope he grabs it.

The Big Debate

Why abolish the Housing Corporation? What exactly is your problem with allowing councils a fourth funding option? How will the sums on your housing policies add up? On 10 March at the National Housing Federation’s office in London, you will have your chance to ask Keith Hill, the Labour housing minister, and his opposite numbers John Hayes (Conservative) and Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) the questions that matter to you in our Big Debate. Over the past few weeks and in the run-up to the expected general election in May, we have put the politicians on the spot in the magazine so you can decide whether they deserve your vote. This week Charles Kennedy outlines his party’s plans (page 18) and Keith Hill defends the government’s housing record (page 25) – they follow Michael Howard and Charles Clarke in previous issues. Let us know what you think, and see page 33 for details of how you can join in the Big Debate.

Source

Housing Today