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HQN SERVICES |
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These services are available at additional subscription rates - click here for further information.
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Policy |
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Policy |
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Links and expert commentary for you to consider within strategy and plan making.
 Access and choice
Access and choice
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Enabling
Enabling
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Housing and planning delivery grant - rewarding councils on delivery 07-11-2007
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The government is consulting on this delivery grant. Proposals include grant funding for areas where there is an increase in excess of 0.75% of existing stock. This idea can be traced back to the Barker Review of the planning system. Also the consultation includes a focus on enabling councils to ignore out-of-date regional housing targets
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Housing and planning delivery grant - rewarding councils on delivery 07-11-2007
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The government is consulting on this delivery grant. Proposals include grant funding for areas where there is an increase in excess of 0.75% of existing stock. This idea can be traced back to the Barker Review of the planning system. Also the consultation includes a focus on enabling councils to ignore out-of-date regional housing targets
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Rural housing 23-10-2007
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Matthew Taylor (Lib Dem MP) who is advising the government on the rural economy and affordable housing has announced that he is seeking views from a wide range of organisations on these issues
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National Affordable Housing Programme Prospectus 11-09-2007
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The Housing Corporation has issued the prospectus and supplementary information on the NAHP 2008-2011. The aim is to reach a target of 45,000 social housing units and 25,000 low cost home ownership properties by 2010-2011
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Matthew Taylor advisor on rural housing 11-09-2007
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The government has announced that Matthew Taylor (Lib Dem MP for Truro and St Austell) will act as advisor to CLG and DEFRA on planning and land use to support sustainable rural communities (including affordable housing)
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Shared ownership 07-08-2007
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CLG is consulting on shared ownership (SO) and leasehold enfranchisement
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Shared ownership 07-08-2007
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As Inside Housing has pointed out, this raises some fundamental issues over the balance between keeping SO properties available in perpetuity and enabling households to staircase up to full ownership
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Eco-towns prospectus 07-08-2007
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This prospectus sets out the governement's vision for eco-towns, including the support required to take them forward. Pulished 23 July 2007
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Building a greener future: policy statement 07-08-2007
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This statement responds to the key issues raised in response to the consultation and confirms the government's ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016. Published 23 July 2007
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Low cost shared ownership 31-07-2007
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The Housing Corporation has announced that twelve new-shared equity proposals have been shortlisted to widen the operation of open market homebuy
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Progress on Decent Homes pre qualification 17-07-2007
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The Housing Corporation are considering including progress on meeting the decent homes standard in the National Affordable Housing Programme pre-qualification requirements
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Scottish housing policy 03-07-2007
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The Minister for Communities and Sport in Scotland has highlighted a number of new initiatives including:
- Housing support fund to help first time buyers
- Task force for improving housing supply
- Public consultation on the future of social housing
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White Paper on planning reform and sustainable communities 20-06-2007
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The government has published a wide range of documents including a planning White Paper. Many of the ideas focus on implementing the Barker Review of the planning system. From a strategic housing perspective, key features include:
- Commitment to protect the green belts
- Continuing emphasis on Brownfield development
- Presumption in favour of development even if the local planning framework is compromised (this is clearly linked to Kate Barker's view that planning and housing should respond positively to market signals)
- Planning performance agreements for major development
- Sustainable development and tackling climate change
- National policy framework for infrastructure investment with a 10-25 year time span
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Homelessness
Homelessness
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Tenancy deposit schemes 19-06-2007
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CLG has launched the new tenancy deposit scheme that came into operation on 6 April 2007
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Private sector
Private sector
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Home Improvement Agencies 23-10-2007
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CLG has published an independent report on the future of a national co-ordinating organisation for HIAs
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Home Information Packs 23-10-2007
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Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, has outlined the government's views on the benefits of HIPs
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Home Information Packs 22-08-2007
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The government has decided to extend the HIP system to three bedroom properties from 10 September 2007. It is likely to be extended to all properties by March 2008
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Law Commission Consultation: Encouraging Responsible Letting 07-08-2007
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The Law Commission has published this consultation paper which recognises that much of the private rented sector is below minimum standards. The central question posed by the consultation is, 'are there ways in which the existing law can be made more effective?' Two key issues are covered (1) repair and maintenance, and (2) harassment and unlawful eviction. The deadline for responses is the 12 October 2007.
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Home Information Packs launch postponed 20-06-2007
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The government has postponed the launch of HIPs following the legal challenge by the RICS highlighted in SEN Update 6. It appears that the scheme is likely to be rolled out incrementally with the start date for properties with four or more bedrooms being 1 August 2007
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Tenancy deposit schemes 19-06-2007
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CLG has launched the new tenancy deposit scheme that came into operation on 6 April 2007
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Home Information Packs 19-06-2007
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The HIP website has been updated with the addition of the latest 'progress' newsletter
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Home Information Packs 19-06-2007
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The Guardian has reported that the House of Lords has criticised HIPs as they have been watered down from the original intentions
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Home Information Packs 19-06-2007
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The Guardian has reported that the House of Lords has criticised HIPs as they have been watered down from the original intentions
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Home Information Packs launch postponed 08-06-2007
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The government has postponed the launch of HIPs following the legal challenge by the RICS highlighted in SEN Update 6. It appears that the scheme is likely to be rolled out incrementally with the start date for properties with four or more bedrooms being 1 August 2007
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Regeneration and renewal
Regeneration and renewal
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Neighbourhood renewal 14-11-2007
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One of the outcomes of the October comprehensive spending review is some uncertainty over future funding streams for neighbourhood renewal. Finance is to continue to be made available to the new deal for communities programme. In addition, there will be new programmes on strengthening communities during estate transformation and a new working neighbourhoods fund. But it is unclear whether neighbourhood renewal funding will continue in its present form.
Similar debates are taking place on neighbourhood regeneration funding in other countries. In The Netherlands, the Dutch Government has announced funding for 40 priority neighbourhoods
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Legislative programme 17-07-2007
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The government has also announced its planned legislative programme for 2007-2008.
This represents a break with tradition in that the legislative programme is normally announced in November of each year. Three housing related bills are proposed:
- Housing and regeneration: This will focus on establishing the legal framework for Communities England
- Planning reform: This will focus on speeding up the planning process especially for major developments including infrastructure
- Planning gain supplement: A draft bill is being prepared but it appears that the Government is willing to consider alternative proposals such as an infrastructure tax - see SEN update 12
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Legislative programme 17-07-2007
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The government has also announced its planned legislative programme for 2007-2008.
This represents a break with tradition in that the legislative programme is normally announced in November of each year. Three housing related bills are proposed:
- Housing and regeneration: This will focus on establishing the legal framework for Communities England
- Planning reform: This will focus on speeding up the planning process especially for major developments including infrastructure
- Planning gain supplement: A draft bill is being prepared but it appears that the Government is willing to consider alternative proposals such as an infrastructure tax - see SEN update 12
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Tackling brownfield blight 03-07-2007
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English Partnerships has published a report for the government on how to develop a national strategy to tackle 'brownfield blight'
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Research
Research
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Social housing
Social housing
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Strategic approach
Strategic approach
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Sustainable Communities 07-11-2007
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The government has launched a 'priority places' programme focussing on five areas (Corby, Thames Gateway, South West Region, Portsmouth and Urban South Hampshire and ELEVATE East Lancashire)
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Migrant workers and housing conditions 09-10-2007
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Hazel Blears made a major speech on Saturday 6 October 2007 on taking forward the recommendations of the commission on integration and cohesion
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Local area agreements 25-09-2007
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The government has published initial details of the next round of LAAs. Further details will be published as part of the CSR. The guidance highlights the close relationship between local sustainable community strategies, local strategic partnerships and LAAs. Involvements of partners is emphasised (including HAs) and this will be strengthened through the Local Government Bill that ought to receive the Royal Assent next month
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Local area agreements 25-09-2007
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The government has published initial details of the next round of LAAs. Further details will be published as part of the CSR. The guidance highlights the close relationship between local sustainable community strategies, local strategic partnerships and LAAs. Involvements of partners is emphasised (including HAs) and this will be strengthened through the Local Government Bill that ought to receive the Royal Assent next month
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Local area agreements 25-09-2007
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The government has published initial details of the next round of LAAs. Further details will be published as part of the CSR. The guidance highlights the close relationship between local sustainable community strategies, local strategic partnerships and LAAs. Involvements of partners is emphasised (including HAs) and this will be strengthened through the Local Government Bill that ought to receive the Royal Assent next month
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Resource allocation 25-09-2007
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The government is consulting on the way it distributes formula grants to councils. Although focussed on the details of local government finance, it is relevant for strategic housing in terms of the impact of spending on tackling issues such as poverty and social exclusion
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Resource allocation 25-09-2007
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The government is consulting on the way it distributes formula grants to councils. Although focussed on the details of local government finance, it is relevant for strategic housing in terms of the impact of spending on tackling issues such as poverty and social exclusion
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Conservative housing policy 20-09-2007
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The Conservative Party has published two policy documents relevant to housing. See link below for an overview
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Rural policy 07-08-2007
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The Commission for Rural Communities has published its 2007 State of the Countryside Report
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Rural policy 07-08-2007
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The Commission for Rural Communities has published its 2007 State of the Countryside Report
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Rural policy 07-08-2007
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The Commission for Rural Communities has published its 2007 State of the Countryside Report
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Rural policy 07-08-2007
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It is important to note that the CRC now produces regular briefing update papers on specific topics
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Government housing policy 17-07-2007
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As much of the media has highlighted, there continues to be an avalanche of material on government housing policy.
Key points that have been highlighted over the last two weeks are:
- Increase in housebuilding from 200,000 to 240,000 units per year by 2016, while still protecting green belt principles
- Higher priority for affordable housing provision (probably at the expense of decent homes)
- A Green Paper on Housing in July 2007
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Government housing policy 17-07-2007
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As much of the media has highlighted, there continues to be an avalanche of material on government housing policy.
Key points that have been highlighted over the last two weeks are:
- Increase in housebuilding from 200,000 to 240,000 units per year by 2016, while still protecting green belt principles
- Higher priority for affordable housing provision (probably at the expense of decent homes)
- A Green Paper on Housing in July 2007
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Local government announcements 17-07-2007
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The government has also made a number of announcements on local government that will have an impact on strategic housing functions
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Local government announcements 17-07-2007
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The government has also made a number of announcements on local government that will have an impact on strategic housing functions
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Local government announcements 17-07-2007
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There is extensive coverage in weekly magazines such as Local Government Chronicle. This is part of a wider constitutional reform process
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Communities England, consultation launched 26-06-2007
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As part of a major speech at the CIH Conference, Ruth Kelly announced further progress on the setting up of Communities England (and at the same time she gave a response to the Cave Report on regulation)
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Communities England, consultation launched 26-06-2007
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As part of a major speech at the CIH Conference, Ruth Kelly announced further progress on the setting up of Communities England (and at the same time she gave a response to the Cave Report on regulation)
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Communities England, consultation launched 26-06-2007
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As part of a major speech at the CIH Conference, Ruth Kelly announced further progress on the setting up of Communities England (and at the same time she gave a response to the Cave Report on regulation)
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Progress on rural housing 20-06-2007
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The Commission for Rural Communities has published a progress report on taking forward the Affordable Rural Housing Commission's report that was launched in May 2006
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Progress on rural housing 20-06-2007
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SPARSE (which is a group of 90 rural local authorities) has published a consultation paper on 'sustaining rural communities'
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Progress on rural housing 20-06-2007
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DEFRA has also announced that it is researching a new funding programme for affordable housing in rural areas with the Housing Corporation
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Housing Market Analysis 19-06-2007
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The Minister for Housing and Planning, Yvette Cooper, gave a major speech on the future for social housing at the Yorkshire and Humberside CIH regional conference
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