Annex 1 (GRI 02(a))
Background: The Housing Corporation and
Registered Social Landlords
The Corporation is a Non-Departmental Public
Body (NDPB) with responsibility in England for the registration,
regulation and funding of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs)—better
known as housing associations. It is also responsible for promoting
the proper performance of RSLs. It was originally set up under
the terms of the Housing Act 1964. Its responsibilities, which
government has developed and extended since then, are now principally
set out in the Housing Associations Act 1985 and the Housing Act
1996.
The Corporation's mission is "Raising the
Standard for Homes and Neighbourhoods". Underpinning this
statement are four key aims:
1. to regulate and promote a viable, properly
governed and properly managed housing association sector;
2. to invest for the creation of safe and
sustainable communities[1];
3. to champion a tenant focus in the housing
association sector; and
4. to be a modern, customer-centred, forward-looking
organisation.
There are 2,060[2]
RSLs on the Corporation's register. They provide just over 1.3
million homes for rent by those in housing need throughout England
and around 92,000 shared ownership homes and leasehold dwellings
for the elderly[3].
RSLs are independent organisations run by non-executive, voluntary
Boards. They are constituted in a variety of ways—many are
charities registered with the Charity Commission and others are
constituted as friendly societies. They are not dependent solely
on public funds. Since the passing of the Housing Act 1988 the
sector has attracted significant amounts of private sector finance.
Private finance amounts to £17 billion[4]
which combines with a total of over £24 billion of public
investment, channelled through the Corporation's Approved Development
Programme (ADP) and through Local Authority Social Housing Grants
(LA SHG).
RSLs vary widely in their size and range. While
60 per cent own fewer than 50 homes, by contrast the largest have
assets in excess of £1 billion. An increasing number of RSLs
have taken on the social housing transferred from the local authority
sector.
1 Sustainable communities are those in which people
want and are able to live now and in the future. Back
2
As at 29 November 2001. Back
3
Figures from RSR 2001, but they have not yet been adjusted for
non-response. Final figures may vary. Back
4
Level of funding drawn down as at 31 March 2001. Back
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