Housing associations have been scrambling to put together bids for the next round of Housing Corporation social housing grant ahead of the 5 December deadline.
As well as the usual bidding for approved development programme funding, some associations are putting in bids to join the corporation's select group of long-term development partners.

In order to become one of these partners, associations must demonstrate that their development programme is worth more than £10m a year (HT 7 November, page 11).

This has sparked some frenzied dealmaking as associations band together to submit joint bids: for instance, Manchester-based Harvest Housing Group has written to 12 other local associations asking if they wish to form a consortium.

Lindsay McAllister, director of development at Salford-based Irwell Valley Housing Association, which is bidding for ADP money, said: "The speed at which the corporation wants us to move has surprised us."

The corporation has indicated it is willing to be flexible around the £10m limit – particularly in the North and Midlands where building costs are lower.

Source

Housing Today