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 Home  > Housing  > Registered Housing Associations  > Housing Associations Guide  > HAG Part 2  > Appendix 2 

Housing Association Guide Part 2 - Appendix 2

Social Housing Development Programme

Contents

1 Introduction

1.01Social Housing Development Programme (SHDP) – is the outcome of a formulation and assembly exercise undertaken by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).  The respective responsibilities for formulating the SHDP are as follows:

1.02Role of the DSD – the DSD role in the first instance is to determine the level of programme to be provided, within the finance available for social housing provision.  The NIHE then formulates a draft programme - based on need - within the parameters laid down by the DSD.  The DSD is responsible for:
  • Confirming that Associations are eligible for entry to the SHDP and are not suspended because of unresolved issues arising from Regulation and Inspection Audit; and
  • Approval of the final programme.
1.03Role of the NIHE - The NIHE, as the strategic Regional Housing Authority for Northern Ireland, is responsible for:
  • The identification and analysis of housing needs;
  • Ensuring, as far as possible, continuity in the programme in the roll forward process, so that Associations have confidence for forward planning purposes;
  • Planning, formulating, drafting and managing the SHDP to ensure that Associations are appropriately directed to meet identified housing needs.
Note: Contact on all matters concerning the SHDP should be made in the first instance to:
NIHE (DPG)
Mr Roy Baillie (Programme & Enabling Manager)
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Development Programme Group
4th Floor, The Housing Centre
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8PB
Tel: 028 9031 8509
Fax: 028 9031 8863
E-mail: Roy.Baillie@nihe.gov.uk
1.04The SHDP - the SHDP is “rolled-on” annually by the NIHE.  The purpose of the roll-on is to re-assess housing needs, review progress with the delivery of the development programme (to meet previously identified housing needs) and establish programming requirements in response to newly identified housing needs.  
1.05District Housing Plans - the process of formulating the development programme is informed by the NIHE’s production of District Housing Plans, and the subsequent round of consultation with each of the 26 District Councils, which recurs annually during May and June.  The District Housing Plans are effectively a prospectus of housing-related activity by District Council, which in each case include a section detailing planned development programme activity by Associations, together with a summary of unmet housing needs.  The District Housing Plans, in summarising unmet housing needs by District Council area, should help direct Associations to concentrate their site identification and acquisition activities in appropriate locations [Note: these documents can be accessed on the NIHE website at www.nihe.gov.uk External website: opens in a new window.
1.06NIHE Support – it is a prerequisite for the NIHE (DPG) project approval that Associations obtain support for each proposed scheme from the appropriate NIHE Area Planner.  In order to obtain NIHE support, Associations should contact the relevant Area Planner (See – Appendix: 1 to Part 2).    
1.07Strategic Guidelines - the NIHE formulation of the SHDP is shaped by the production of the organisation’s strategic guidelines, which are also reviewed and modified annually.  The strategic guidelines are the NIHE’s means of ensuring that schemes in the development programme (and associated HAG-funding resources) are equitably distributed across Northern Ireland, in recognition of the requirements of Targeting Social Need.  
1.08When assessing priorities - and reviewing the strategic guidelines, the NIHE takes account of the most recent waiting list statistics and policy issues.  The DSD provides an annual estimate of HAG expenditure, which in turn informs discussions regarding the number of physical starts that are required during the following year.  The NIHE seeks to ensure that each of the eight key policy areas that constitute the Strategic Guidelines is appropriately addressed.  
1.09Using the example of 1500 units - of accommodation as an annual starts target, the table below illustrates the number of units of accommodation that would be required to appropriately address needs in each of the Policy areas.  
Strategic Guidelines
Policy Areas
Target Number of Units
North Belfast 250
Housing Stress 342
Redevelopment 131
Rural 150
Supported Housing 222
Travellers 10
West Belfast 275
West Bank (Londonderry) 120
Total 1500
[Note: In circumstances where it is not possible to ensure that needs highlighted in the Strategic Guidelines are addressed in-year, balance is achieved through adjustments across the full 5-Year life of the Housing Association Development Programme].

2 The Annual Bidding Process

2.01Invitation to Bid - in August each year Associations are invited to submit a list of schemes to the NIHE (DPG) for consideration for the next 5-Year SHDP. Bids should be made as required by the Guidance on Completion of Bid Forms documentation included at Annex A.
2.02The Programme - is formulated by the NIHE.  Completed bids are forwarded by the NIHE (DPG) to the NIHE’s Corporate Services Division and then disseminated to each of the 5 NIHE Area Planners to match bids against unmet housing needs.
2.03NIHE Support - It is important that the NIHE Area Planners have advance notice of all bids made, so that they can quickly assess the relative merit of each scheme. There is a tight timetable for assembly of the programme, which does not allow time for the assessment of previously unknown schemes. Schemes first proposed, as part of the bidding process will therefore not be included in the programme.
2.04Proof of NIHE Support - in order to prove that schemes have already been advised to the NIHE Area Planners, all bids must be accompanied by either a letter from the NIHE supporting the scheme or a letter from the Association to the NIHE requesting support. Requests for support must be in the form required for ‘Formal Support for Housing Need’ - see Appendix: 1 to Part 2, of this Guide.  
[Note: Bids without this accompanying documentation will not be considered for inclusion in the new programme].
2.05NIHE Transfer Schemes - The bidding process gives Associations the opportunity to reassess the deliverability of transfer schemes already programmed. In every case it is presumed that Associations will already have had meetings with the NIHE to discuss progress, so that at bidding stage Associations will be aware of the status of each scheme.  
[Note: As the owner of the scheme, it is fully the responsibility of the Association to determine the estimated delivery timetable, taking into account all the relevant factors].

3 Programme Issue

3.01Issue of the 5-Year SHDP - in December each year, the NIHE (DPG) issues a new programme for the next 5-Year period. This programme comprises the schemes selected from those put forward in the bidding process. The timetable for all the schemes included will be as advised by the Association. Associations will not be asked to deliver any schemes ahead of the timetable notified to the NIHE (DPG) as part of the bidding process.
[Note: Given the long lead in time required for the development process, Associations are required to start work on this programme right away].
3.02Target Dates - in April each year, the NIHE (DPG) asks Associations for Year 1 target dates for project submission and claim dates for acquisition, on-site and completion Tranches. These target dates are sought in respect of all schemes where activity is planned to occur during Year 1.
[Note: This exercise gives Associations an opportunity to review their total programme and advise the NIHE (DPG) of any amendments].
3.03Issue of the full 5-Year SHDP- in May each year, having taken into account amendments from the target date exercise, the NIHE (DPG) issues a programme which includes both the new projects selected from the bids, plus any slippage from the previous year. This represents the full extent of programmed activity for the new 5-Year SHDP.
3.04Programme flexibility – the NIHE (DPG) will exercise a high degree of flexibility in the interchange of schemes between all five years of the programme. Whilst the priority is always to deliver schemes listed in the Year 1 programme, the NIHE (DPG) is aware that delays can occur. In those circumstances, the NIHE (DPG) will welcome suggestions for bringing forward schemes from the later years.  In such circumstances:
  • The Association should contact the NIHE (DPG) in the first instance to discuss the options. If satisfied, the NIHE (DPG) will ask the Association to formally request the amendment by letter, detailing estimated costs and development timetable;
  • The NIHE (DPG) will make its decision based on the availability of finance and the Association’s ability to deliver in the timescale put forward;
  • The NIHE (DPG) will confirm the amendment by letter.

4. In-Year Programme Management

4.01Additions to the Programme – A facility exists, outside of the formal bidding process, to add schemes to the programme throughout the year. Associations should, in the first instance, approach the relevant NIHE Area Planner to ascertain support. Provided the NIHE can confirm support:
a.The Association should then approach the NIHE (DPG) to discuss a programme slot;
b.If satisfied, the NIHE (DPG) will ask the Association to formally request the addition by letter, detailing estimated costs and development timetable;
c.The NIHE (DPG) will make its formal decision based on the availability of finance and the Association’s ability to deliver in the timescale put forward;
d.The NIHE (DPG) will confirm the addition by letter; and
e.Associations should then include the addition on the next monthly Project Update Form (PUF)
4.02Project Update Forms (PUF) - Associations are required to update the NIHE (DPG) on a monthly basis with progress of all schemes in the Year 1 programme. Forms should be sent to (so as to be received by) the NIHE (DPG) by the 1st working day of each month.  Form PUF is reproduced as Annex E.
4.03Transfer Update Forms (TUF) - Associations are required to update the NIHE (DPG) on a monthly basis with progress of all NIHE transfer schemes in the five-year programme. Forms should be sent to (so as to be received by) the NIHE (DPG) by the 1st working day of each month.  Form TUF is reproduced as Annex F.
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