ALMO to help 10 families

Rochdale to create largest co-operative

Rochdale Council’s arm’s-length management organisation has been given the green light by the housing minister to create England’s largest social housing co-operative after it proved it could raise finance from commercial lenders.

Social housing co-op given thumbs up

Tenants have given Rochdale Council the go-ahead to create England’s largest social housing co-operative.

The president has a problem

National £500m bond plan dropped

Plans for a £500 million national housing bond have been ditched following concerns about the effect on existing lending agreements - but other funding models are still being explored.

Mortgage rescue scheme overspent and missed goals

A scheme launched in January 2009 to help households avoid repossession has supported less than half the people expected and gone £35 million over budget.

Redressing the balance

An equal pay claim ruling will affect the culture of ALMOs and councils, says Jack Harrington, partner at Pannone

Cold cottage rescue

Isolation from mains gas can spell financial hardship. Alex Turner investigates how Cornish landlords are exploring renewable energy solutions to rural fuel poverty

The shortlist

Emily Rogers visits the council that is replacing allocation forms with face-to-face meetings to vet prospective tenants

Take care

A person who lacks the mental capacity to enter a tenancy agreement may still be entitled to housing benefit, says Robert Latham

A friend in need

Edinburgh’s Homelessness Prevention Service is making a big difference to vulnerable residents in the city. Sam Thorp finds out how the council-commissioned service works