WIREDGOV

The Cabinet Office has officially confirmed that the HCA will be retained as a smaller enabling and investment agency working for local communities, with a new regulatory role.

Our enabling role

We are currently in dialogue with Communities and Local Government (CLG) regarding the specific detail of the HCA's new streamlined enabling role. This will no doubt evolve further with the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review on Wednesday 20 October.

Tenants' Services Authority (TSA)

CLG has also confirmed that the Tenants’ Services Authority will be wound down and that the HCA will take on the economic regulation of social housing.

Our chief executive, Sir Bob Kerslake, commented on the additional responsibility:

"This is an opportunity to harness the valuable synergies that exist between the investment and regulatory functions. However, this new regulatory role will need to be run as a distinct function of the HCA, within the context of a smaller, more streamlined agency.

"While tenant issues will be addressed at a local level under a new system, the Agency will want to engage tenant organisations in the delivery of its new regulatory function.

"We will continue to work closely with the TSA over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition of the TSA’s vital economic regulatory functions to the HCA."

On Monday 18 October, the conclusion of a review of the TSA's other functions was announced. Following this, and the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement, we anticipate greater clarity about the implications of all these changes.

Read the Review of social housing regulation (PDF, 257KB)

Read about the Public Body Review on Number10.gov.uk

Read the CLG press release