§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the component elements used in determining grant rates for licensing associations; and if he will publish the assumptions on affordability adopted by his Department and the Housing Corporation in determining grant rates in each respective total cost indicator area and for different housing types.
§ Mr. BaldryGrant rates for housing associations are proposed by the Housing Corporation and approved by the Secretary of State in the light of all relevant factors, including outturn rents on completed schemes. Rates are set for broad categories of type of scheme and location so as to enable associations generally to provide housing at rents within the reach of those in low-paid employment. The Government do not publish the underlying factors and assumptions, since it does not wish to imply a view as to what constitutes an affordable rent in any particular case. Outturn rents are for associations to determine and will be influenced by an association's assessment of suitable rent levels for a scheme as well as by its efficiency in managing development.