§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the HOMES scheme and similar mobility schemes for social housing tenants; and if he will make a statement. [130233]
§ Mr. MullinThe activities of HOMES are monitored on an ongoing basis by the DETR. In particular through a requirement on HOMES to agree annual objectives with the Department; to report on their achievement of objectives; and to submit a three year business plan. The level of grant funding DETR provides to HOMES is subject to effective implementation of the plan. The Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all" sets out the Government's proposals to promote lettings and transfers policies that offer more choice for existing and prospective tenants of social housing. The role and effectiveness of mobility schemes will be an important consideration. The Government will consider responses to the Green Paper and would wish to discuss any proposals with key interested parties.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he plans to take to meet the commitment in the Housing Green Paper to strengthen the obligation on registered social landlords to co-operate with local authorities in offering accommodation to households on local authority housing registers; and if he will make a statement; [130239]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the obligation on registered social landlords to co-operate with local authorities in the provision of accommodation to households on local authority housing registers; and if he will make a statement. [130238]
§ Mr. MullinStatutory guidance issued by the Housing Corporation requires registered social landlords (RSLs) to make available at least of 50 per cent. of their lettings to local authority nominees from the housing register, in order to comply with the duty of co-operation placed on RSLs under section 170 of the Housing Act 1996. Under current arrangements, RSLs with more than 250 units of accommodation or 250 bed spaces are required to provide comprehensive data about households and properties in respect of all their lettings. The Housing Green Paper states that the Government will be reviewing—with a view to strengthening—the current obligation on RSLs to co-operate with local authorities in offering accommodation to people on authorities' housing registers. The Government will consider responses to the Green Paper before deciding how to take this forward, and would wish to discuss132W any proposals with representatives of local government, the Housing Corporation, the National Housing Federation and others before introducing any changes.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow social housing tenants to move across local authority boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [130234]
§ Mr. MullinThe Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for increasing choice in social lettings. As part of these proposals, we are interested in exploring the scope for promoting greater flexibility and more movement across local authority boundaries, and will consider responses to the Green Paper before deciding whether to develop this further. We would wish to discuss any proposals with representatives of local government, Shelter and others before taking them forward.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a standardised monitoring system for the letting of social housing stock by registered social landlords and local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [130236]
§ Mr. MullinThe Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for increasing choice in social lettings. In taking these proposals forward we will wish to consider the arrangements for monitoring lettings by social landlords.