Medium-sized housing associations 'are poised for wider community role'

Research by Richard Newcombe of the Cambridge Housing Society, which includes a survey of associations with between 250 and 2,500 units of accommodation, finds that two out of three are already involved in Housing Plus activities. These range from steps to assist tenants to run their estates to specific projects such as crèche facilities, youth clubs, and training and employment programmes.

Of those engaged in Housing Plus, four out of ten anticipated that it would fulfil a significant part of their work within the next five years. Nevertheless, many of those surveyed emphasised the current constraints on diversifying into a broader community role.

• There was widespread uncertainty as to how far associations could engage in Housing Plus without breaching regulations set by the Housing Corporation. Concern was also expressed that the Corporation's performance indicators were too rigid to take proper account of benefits to the community accruing from Housing Plus.
• Most Housing Plus activities were being funded from associations' reserves or revenue income. There was nothing inappropriate about such contributions, but it was clear that associations' own resources would be insufficient to sustain a long-term programme and commitment.
• Although a well-defined strategy and measurable outputs were identified as key ingredients for effective Housing Plus initiatives, many associations had not yet included them in practice. Only half those currently engaged in Housing Plus had an overall strategy and only 13 per cent had established measurable outputs for all their activities. Four out of ten had specified no measurable outputs whatever.

The study (funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and an Innovation and Good Practice Grant from the Housing Corporation) found that almost half the associations surveyed had considered forming links with other associations, although most would prefer to retain their independence. Only 20 per cent anticipated a reduction in funds for development. The 45 per cent of associations who were predicting an accelerated rate of growth were those most likely to be already involved in Housing Plus.

Richard Newcombe, who conducted the research while a Visiting Fellow at the University of York's Centre for Housing Policy, said: "Housing Plus closely matches the Government's priorities on social exclusion. It represents an important opportunity for medium-sized associations to change the emphasis of their role by responding to wider needs in the community.

"Even so, progress will be impeded unless current obstacles are removed. One option would be for the Housing Corporation to consult with the National Housing Federation to establish a good practice standard whereby a set percentage of associations' net annual surpluses could be earmarked for work to assist community sustainability. Another would be for a proportion of the Approved Development Programme to be ring-fenced for Housing Plus initiatives, with associations bidding for a new Grant for Community Sustainability."