The overall numbers might not be showing much change, but new names are appearing in the list of top housing association developers.

Steady as she goes is the message from this year’s analysis of housing association development programmes. After four years of cuts in public funding, the level of development pipelines has stabilised - associations say they are producing 97 000 homes, slightly up from 95 600 last year.

The number of associations - 53 - with programmes of more than 500 homes is the same as last year. The number with programmes of more than 1000 homes is 22, one down on 1999. But the top 50 are getting a bigger share of the total. They are developing 57 536 homes, compared with 53 800 last year, itself an increase over 1998.

The table again shows that it is not simply the biggest associations that have big development programmes: 22 - almost half - have fewer than 10 000 homes in management and seven of these are top twenty developers. Looked at in a slightly different way, 17 associations in the list are not in the top 50 by management size. This is the highest level for five years. Of the 11 newcomers, Accord, West Hampstead, Eastern Shires, Hexagon and Derwent appear for the first time.

Once again the list illustrates the Housing Corporation’s Approved Development Programme is only one source of funds for development. Large associations such as Peabody Trust have relatively small ADP allocations for 2000/2001, yet have thriving development programmes. Peabody is involved in several regeneration projects with public funds coming from local authorities, and Estates Renewal Challenge Funding (which is being phased out) and Single Regeneration Budget. Most associations in the list are involved in improving council estates. Another example is Sanctuary, which has major health trust contracts to provide and manage staff accommodation.

Overall the sector grew by 110 000 homes to an estimated 1 550 000. However, more than half the growth came from large scale voluntary transfers from local authorities. Many of these homes require significant catch-up repairs and improvement.

Most LSVTs concentrate on this aspect. A few, such as Sovereign and Beacon, have followed active development programmes in surrounding areas and have grown rapidly.

National Housing Federation Directory of Members 2000, price £77.50 (including p&p), tel 0207 278 6571.

Social housing's movers and shakers of 2000

Sovereign One of the first LSVTs back in 1989, Sovereign has been actively expanding throughout the South West on the back of highly favourable transfer terms. Network After a relative lull in the latter 1990s, Network has re-established its position as one of London’s top developers via regeneration and NHS Trust work. Flagship Merger between Peddars Way and Suffolk Heritage is proving successful for these LSVT associations which have built up a substantial development pipeline. Bromford Bromford has emerged as the most active developer in the West Midlands and adjacent areas. It is involved in schemes in about 40 local authorities. Acton The fastest growing association in the country (it has trebled in size in five years), Acton is actively involved in regeneration and with NHS Trusts. London & Quadrant Although down in this year’s list, it has a huge 2000/01 Housing Corporation allocation and several regeneration schemes to help it return next year. Shaftesbury Back in the list supported by a pipeline involving the Kingsmead estate in Hackney, and a number of student accommodation projects. Presentation The second largest black and minority ethnic-led association has bounced back. It is involved in a number of significant partnerships.