Housing Management
Private sector involvement in the management of public housing over the years is an increasingly active field. This section contains a number of recent reports from the UK and Australian jurisdictions.
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Empowering tenants, improving quality and reducing costs: The Case for Contestability in English Social Housing (PDF) Pinnacle, 2008
A report which looks at the savings and quality improvements that could be made from introducing greater competition into social housing management.
UK
Market Renewal Baseline Report for Market Renewal Pathfinders
Audit Commission, 2007
This report from the Audit Commission identifies the responsibilities of the pathfinders. It provides a review of pathfinder activity and communications in the areas. The review is used to demonstrate evidence on whether or not the pathfinder initiatives, a scheme to encourage housing market renewal in some of the worse affected areas in the UK, are driving forward support for the government's Respect Action Plan.
UK
Better Futures for Social Housing (PDF)
Maclennan, Duncan, 2007
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
This is the JRF response to the Hills review (also available on the Resource Centre). It praises recommendations from Hills but seeks clarification and further debate in key areas, notably: (i) clarification and observation of social housing providers, (ii) the importance of market and system design in this sector and (iii) identification of ideal mixes of market and non-market means to reach social objectives.
Ends and Means: The Future Roles of Social Housing in England (PDF)
Hills, John, 2007
London School of Economics (LSE)
The Hills review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with a remit to "stand back and ask what role social housing can play in 21st Century housing policy". It aims to provide the background and analytical framework to answer this fundamental question. Therefore it assesses the objectives and implications of social housing reform rather than making detailed policy recommendations.
The Future Regulation of Housing Audit Commission, 2007 In 2007 the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) commissioned a review of regulation in the housing sector with a view to improving the functioning of these markets. This report is the Audit Commission's response to the DCLG's call for evidence. It stresses three key priorities in considering regulation reform: improving outcomes for customers, improving the local community and improving value for money for government. UK
4Ps PFI/PPP Operational Project Review 2006: Housing Sector (PDF)
4Ps, Public Private Partnerships Programme, 2006
Housing Market Renewal 2005/6 Review (PDF)
Audit Commission, 2006
The government's Housing Market Renewal Programme aims to tackle the problem of declining demand for housing in the North and Midlands. This report reviews the progress public and private sector partners are making, explores some of the emerging issues and looks forward to the challenges and policy changes of a developing government agenda.
A PPP in Housing / Buildings Repairs and Maintenance: Project Information Briefing (PDF) 4Ps, Kier Group and Sheffield City Council, 2005 Kier Sheffield LLP is a partnership between Sheffield City Council and Kier Group plc for the investment and maintenance of housing and property of the Council. The project demonstrates and realises best value, and delivers on all of its objectives. This document provides information regarding key aspects of the project, its procurement and contracting, drivers, governance, operational aspects and lessons learnt. UK
Housing Market Renewal: Best Practice Guide
Audit Commission, 2005
The government's Housing Market Renewal Programme aims to tackle the substantial problems of housing demand decline in some areas in the North and the Midlands. The purpose of this publication is to make practical recommendations to help public and private-sector stakeholders improve their performance in strategy development and programme delivery.
UK
To the Point: A Blueprint for Good Targets (PDF)
Targets Commission, 2005
Social Market Foundation (SMF)
Housing Management in Three Metropolitan Local Authorities: The Impact of CCT and Implications for Best Value
Harries, Andrew and Vincent-Jones, Peter , 2005
Local Government Studies, 27(2), pp.69-92
This research presents case studies of three metropolitan local authorities in the north of England in the late 1990s, with a view to ascertaining best value for housing management through competition.
The Economic Efficiency Of Accommodation Service PFI Projects (PDF) Rintala, Kai, 2004 VTT Publications 555 This research consists of two case studies on large and complex PFI accommodation projects which use interviews, project documentation and expert opinions to collect data. ISBN 951-38-6434-0 UK
Intelligent Approaches to Housing (PDF) Chartered Institute of Housing, the Local Government Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute, 2004 This report is jointly written by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Local Government Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Its main purpose is to examine the changing policy context and working practices within and between authorities on housing and planning issues. It implies that there is an emerging joint agenda on housing and planning and suggests recommendations for improving integration. UK
Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for Housing Revenue Account Housing -Early Lessons from the Pathfinder Programme (PDF)
Knox, Jim, Glover, Rod and West, Andrew , 2003
This is a report written by PA Consulting for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It presents detailed analysis of the progress of the PFI initiative for HRA housing in the eight Pathfinders areas, areas identified as ones which are of key priority for housing market renewal. The report identifies three lessons that can be learned from the early stages in the progress of the initiative.
UK
Report on Government Services 2002- Part G: Housing (PDF)
Productivity Commission, 2002
This report was produced by the Steering Committee for the Review of Commonwealth/State Service Provision (SCRCSSP). It focuses on the performance of governments in Australia in providing public, Indigenous and community housing under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement and Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Australia
Building for the Future: The Management of Procurement under the Private Finance Initiative (PDF)
Audit Commission, 2001
This paper draws out some useful lessons from schemes in health and housing following contract closure, but neither endorses the PFI nor questions the fundamental assumptions underlying it. It looks at the strategic aspects of PFI, but also considers the practical project management issues that are raised by this form of procurement.
Compulsory Competitive Tendering of Council Housing Management Wilson, Wendy, 1994 House of Commons Library This paper looks at the reasons why CCT is being applied to housing management. The main aim of this paper is to outline how the implementation will take place, from guidance issued by the government. In light of these changes, the document also outlines what the expected advantages of CCT are and discusses the rationale behind its extension. UK
Competing For Quality Housing-Competition in the Provision of Housing Management: A Consultation Paper
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 1992
This consultation paper sets out the Government's proposals to progressively introduce competition into the field of housing management to improve services provided to tenants. The paper includes the Government's ideas for the role of CCT, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of both a single and multiple contract options. This document also outlines a step-by-step process that will be taken to gradually introduce competition.
Accounting and Competitive Tendering in UK Local Government: An Institutionalist Interpretation of the New Public Management
Seal, Willie , 1999
Financial Accountability & Management, 15(3) & (4), pp.309-327
This is a theoretical paper on UK government's use of competitive tendering at a local level. It includes a case study from a northern metropolitan authority and briefly addresses housing management