Clause 29
Housing and Regeneration Bill
6:14 pm
Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
I have a couple of questions in relation to the next two clauses. First, will the Minister say in what circumstances the Secretary of State will appoint the HCA to act as agent in the manner described in clause 29?
Secondly, when talking of the HCA’s power as agent of the Secretary of State on matters of regeneration, I wish to raise a particular issue. I understand that the Housing Corporation does not provide finance to schemes in which there is no net increase in affordable housing. In areas that have the potential to increase housing supply and that already have an over-concentration of council housing, making a more mixed community would involve a net loss of council housing. Although it would result in a much more balanced community, which is the desire set out in the Green Paper, such a scheme would not attract financial support.
Will the Minister say whether the HCA might take a more flexible approach? I am talking of a situation in which there was not necessarily a net increase in affordable housing. Would it still be possible for financial assistance to be given to a scheme whose objects were within the terms of the HCA’s remit—within its wider powers over regeneration, rather than simply its powers to act as an agency to deliver more housing units?
How will the HCA use its powers, and will it be more flexible than the current provisions as they affect the Housing Corporation? I should be grateful if the Minister gave us some indication on that.