§ Norman BakerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance is given to the Housing Corporation regarding the use of timber in house construction to ensure that all timber used comes from legal and sustainable sources; and if he will make a statement. [142230]
§ Keith HillThe Housing Corporation sets out requirements and recommendations for all housing projects which receive Social Housing Grant (SHG) in its Scheme Development Standards. The Government works with the Housing Corporation on reviews of the Scheme Development Standards.
The standards make clear that housing projects should endeavour to incorporate measures which aid environmental sustainability. Compliance and performance on environmental sustainability is tested using the EcoHomes assessment framework developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The credit requirements under the EcoHomes assessment scheme include criteria for the use of timber from sustainably managed sources, or reused timber, in both the basic building elements and the finishing elements of homes.
All new built homes funded by the Housing Corporation are required to achieve a BRE EcoHomes rating of 'Pass' as a minimum essential condition of grant and housing associations are encouraged to aim for the higher 'Good' rating. The Housing Corporation intends to increase the minimum requirement to a `Good' rating from April 2005 with housing associations encouraged to aim for the higher 'Very Good' rating from the same date.