The CIPFA Local Authority Housing Panel has comprehensively updated its housing finance guide. As the end of the decent homes programme approaches and legislation is likely to allow an opt-out from the subsidy system, a whole new set of finance issues present themselves. Authorities that are no longer stock holders have many new housing powers and opportunities. With the constant changes to local authority housing finance, the guide is essential reading for finance managers and councillors, or indeed anybody needing to understand the finances of this important service.

The guide has now been broken down into 33 shorter, more focused chapters. This gives better coverage of the full range of local authority housing functions. Each chapter opens with a separate and very accessible outline of the main issues. This will be particularly helpful to the more generalist reader. Statutory duties and discretionary powers are summarised, with the new national performance indicators. Where relevant an extension of the chapter is then provided which drills down much more deeply into the technical issues. The guide is, therefore, of prime use for a multitude of potential readers ranging from councillors whose interest may be more strategic right through to the housing finance specialist.

New coverage includes:

• Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and new CLG service objectives
• Hills Report, the Housing Green Paper, and the Housing and Regeneration Bill
• Growth Areas, Growth Points and Housing Market Renewal
• Comprehensive Area Assessment and the Housing Inspectorate
• Efficiency and cash-releasing gains
• Gypsies and travellers – assessing needs and providing accommodation
• Local Housing Allowance and new DWP performance arrangements
• National Strategy on Housing in an Ageing Society
• 2008-9 HRA subsidy settlement
• CLG comprehensive review of HRA subsidy and opting out of the system
• Rent restructuring changes for 2008-9
• New accounting requirements for leaseholders and for tenant management

The guide also includes a fully updated glossary of housing finance terms.

Download the Contents: Word [97KB] | PDF [28KB]

Download the Foreword: Word [84KB] | PDF [27KB]

The book is priced at £65.00 for a single copy, with a range of discounts for multiple purchases as follows:
2-10 copies: £53.50 each
11-30 copies: £45.00 each
31+ copies: £39.00 each

The CD-ROM is priced at £210.00 (+VAT) = £246.75 per copy
This price includes a licence giving the purchasing local authority or RSL copyright waiver so the information contained on the CD-ROM can be shared with all bona fide employees, elected members and non-executive board members. Details of licensing arrangements for other categories of purchaser are available from CIPFA's Publications Department.