Housing
The Audit Commission's work in housing
From 2000 to 2011 we helped local authorities, arm's length management organisations (ALMOs) and housing associations improve their services through our audit, inspection and research functions. We undertook 1,400 housing inspections, including 180 Supporting People inspections, and published more than 20 national studies on housing.
Between 2006 and 2011 we found many examples of positive practice and these can be found in our compendium of housing good practice (XLS, 817kb).
We started inspecting local authority housing services in 2000, under the Local Government Act 1999. From 2003, we were also responsible for inspecting housing associations in England.
In April 2010, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) began commissioning inspections of landlord services for both local authorities and housing associations under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.
Between 2000 and 2011 the Commission had responsibility for inspections of local authorities' strategic housing functions, including homelessness services, and private sector functions.
In the past, the Audit Commission published national reports on a wide range of housing issues. Our reports were based on independent, authoritative analysis of national evidence and local practice and helped to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of local public services.
We produced a series of housing briefings on different themes, such as allocation and lettings, and tenancy management. These briefings captured key messages from the Commission's research in these areas, and provide links to relevant national publications, case studies and tools.
From 2003 until 2009, the Audit Commission carried out a programme of inspections of all 150 Administering Local Authorities (ALA) which were responsible for the Supporting People grant and associated programme at that time. The work was led by the Audit Commission and inspections were carried out with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and the HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP).
Between 2003 and 2011, Housing Market Renewal (HMR) operated as a dedicated national programme, tackling the problem of declining demand for housing in parts of the Midlands and the North of England. The programme aimed to deliver change on a large scale, working across areas with weak housing markets, irrespective of local authority boundaries.
The Audit Commission carried out reviews and performance monitoring of the HMR pathfinders, providing critical challenge to partners and independent analysis of programme delivery. This work enhanced the application of Housing Market Renewal locally, and helped to inform policy debate and decisions on area-based physical regeneration nationally.