The transfer programme has fallen six months behind schedule as a result of the government's insistence on holding back any announcements about future programmes until January.
Figures published in Transfers Today by the National Housing Federation show that the programme has effectively ground to a halt over the last few months, as local authorities continue to wait for the government's Communities Plan statement in the new year.

Although disappointed at the delays, officials say their hopes have been raised that there will be an expanded programme of transfers next year.

Nigel Minto, projects director at the NHF, said: "The whole picture will come together in January. Six months may have been lost, but this has given authorities time to consider their options."

He added that it was expected that the programme for 2004/05 would be outlined in draft guidance by March or April next year and that the closing date for bidding authorities would be towards the end of July.

Normally, the annual transfer programme would be agreed in the autumn, but it has been delayed this year because the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister has been conducting a review of its housing policy.

A number of high-profile transfers such as Sheffield (63,000 homes) and Tabard Gardens in Southwark, south London, did not progress. Those local authorities are currently deciding how best to progress.

Source

Housing Today

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