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Housing associations should review property sales policies, says NHF commission
Housing associations should review their policies for property sales and transfers to make sure they are disposing of assets ethically, a National Housing Federation (NHF) commission has said.
A report on regeneration published today by the body’s independent Great Places commission warned that homes should only be sold on the open market as a “last resort”, and even then with conditions “to ensure the property and its occupants are a positive presence in the area”.
“Property disposals are a legitimate tool, but one that needs to be deployed with care and with regard for the impact on – and perceptions of – those remaining in and responsible for an area,” it said.
A number of large-scale stock transfers have taken place in recent years as housing associations have sought to reorganise the locations of their homes.
The commission proposed that “explicit ethical disposals policies” agreed with boards, staff and residents could help maintain disposals practices in line with the sector’s social purpose.
It suggested this should include a clear rationale for the sale communicated to residents and a priority on selling the home to another social landlord or charity.
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Clarion Housing Group’s sale in June of 154 Stafford homes to Stafford and Rural Homes, which included an “active consultation with residents already living in the homes”, was cited as a good example.
Commissioners also called for government to invest £10bn in regeneration over the next decade and for mandatory good design standards on all new development.
Katie Teasdale, head of member relations at the NHF, said: “For too long, regeneration hasn’t been given the attention that it deserves.
“But now, we’re seeing a change – there is a growing cross-party consensus that something has to be done.
“This report sets out the ambitious ideas that the Great Places commissioners have been developing over the past year.
“First and foremost, the government needs to invest in regeneration to start bringing the country back together and support communities to thrive.”
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Among the report’s 10 recommendations was also a call for a mandatory national private landlord register to help councils tackle rogue landlords.
And it called for housing associations to commit to “asset-based community development” and focus on spending money to support local businesses.
The commission is made up of 12 senior housing association figures, including Sinéad Butters, chair at Placeshapers chair; and Mark Henderson, chief executive of Home Group.
