Efficiency Initiatives

Housing Association Annual Efficiency Statements- A guidance note  by Housing Corporation

Within the current operating environment many associations are actively investigating ways of increasing their efficiency and effectiveness. As such, improved efficiency is a key component of associations’ business planning and risk management processes. The above document explains the background and some of the procedures for preparing Annual Efficiency Statements.

The sector now needs to embrace the government’s efficiency agenda, and challenging targets have been set by ODPM for the housing sector, including housing associations (RSLs).  A key requirement is that lead regulated housing associations will be required to produce an Annual Efficiency Statement each year. The Housing Corporation is responsible for collecting and assessing housing association Efficiency   Statements and reporting on the sector’s efficiency gains to ODPM. The Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate’s inspection results, which will assess the efficiency of service delivery as well as its quality, feed into the HCA for individual associations.

Efficiency in delivering the Housing Corporation’s investment programme  - A discussion paper by Housing Corporation

This paper describes and analyses new models for delivering Housing Corporation funded investment. In particular, the paper proposes ways in which the Housing Corporation could use its new powers under the Housing Act 2004 to pay grant to non-RSLs, complementing and enhancing existing ADP funding approaches. The Corporation has launched an initial programme for the new funding system, the first stage of which is to establish which organisations may bid for the £200m programme.

The Corporation is consulting on how the programme will be managed and standards maintained. This paper aims to contribute to the debate on both the initial programme and any subsequent extension. It develops further the Design, Build, Finance, Operate (DBFO) model outlined in "Towards Investment Partnering".

Is big really best - or can small and friendly deliver?  - A briefing on the size, efficiency and effectiveness of housing associations by Housing Corporation

This briefing is not a statement of the Corporation’s policy. It is a useful and timely contribution to a wider debate which Corporation believes is needed, about the purpose and outcomes of the merger and restructuring of associations into larger or more complex organisations.

Housing Corporation does not have a preferred size or style of organisation; but they do have very clear expectations about the outcomes of merger activity and in particular about the effect on organisational efficiency, capacity, and services to current and future tenants. Boards must ensure that sound reasons for mergers or enlargement of group structures exist. It is not sufficient just to plan for larger organisations for the sake of it. It must lead to better services for tenants and greater organisational effectiveness.