A committee of MPs has launched an inquiry into the financial viability and sustainability of housing associations.
Uncertainty around the extension of the Right to Buy scheme, and issues arising from the impact of welfare reforms and from changes announced in the Budget, raise real questions about the future sustainability of housing associations.
The Communities and Local Government Committee will examine whether government policies, including the extension of Right to Buy, will impact on the ability of housing associations to develop. the inquiry will look into how HAs use their surpluses.
The committee, chaired by Labour MP Clive Betts, is calling for evidence on the Right to Buy, including the type of stock and geographical distribution of homes covered by the scheme and steps that could be taken to minimise the effect on the availability of social homes. It will also look at the approach of lenders and proposals for replacements of homes sold.
In addition to Right to Buy, the inquiry will look at the social housing rent reduction, changes to housing benefit and welfare reforms, as well as the role of the Homes and Communities Agency regulation committee.
The deadline for submissions of evidence is 28 August.