§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to amend the way in which the general needs index is used as the formula for establishing funding levels for housing associations.
§ Sir George YoungThe composition of the generalised needs index and the way it is used to allocate resources to local authorities is reviewed each year with the local authority associations. The level of funding for housing associations within their allocations is a matter for individual local authorities.
The Housing Corporation uses a modified form of the generalised needs index to allocate 70 per cent. of the resources for new fair rent projects each year to its regions. The Housing Corporation and the National Federation of Housing Associations are both conducting major reviews of the way the generalised needs index is used by the corporation.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet completed his examination of the scope for restoring eligibility for housing association grant (mini-HAG) to short life properties in local authority ownership; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on 14 December, at column 1338, by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction in the course of his speech in the debate on homelessness.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the purpose and timetable of the review of housing association management allowances.
§ Sir George YoungThe management allowance is one of a number of allowances made to housing associations intended to meet their costs in the management,196W maintenance and development of properties. The appropriateness of all allowances is considered annually. The special review of the management allowance, which is being conducted in collaboration with the National Federation of Housing Associations is considering among other things, whether the allowance should reflect the effects of the scale of associations' operations.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of jobs estimated to be lost or gained following the review of housing association management allowances; and what he estimates will be the impact on services following the review.
§ Sir George YoungThe effect and benefits of any changes in the current allowances are among the issues which will be considered by the review, which is not yet completed.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received criticising the time scale of the review of housing association management allowances; and if he will allow more time for consultation in the review.
§ Sir George YoungNone.