(2) if he will take steps to improve regulation of the standards for housing provided by not-for-profit housing associations for people with severe disabilities;
(3) if he will take steps to strengthen the regulation of charges levied on local authorities by not-for-profit housing associations who provide accommodation and support for tenants with severe disabilities.
The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is currently in the process of developing its standards framework. The aim is to improve the standard of service for all tenants, and the standards currently being developed will be a key method of achieving this. Where landlords do not meet these standards, the TSA will use the powers bestowed on them through the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to ensure this is addressed, and the quality of service improved.
The Care Quality Commission is responsible for the regulation of accommodation for people who require nursing or special care. From 2010 a new registration system will ensure that health and adult social care providers must be registered with the CQC to show they meet a wide range of essential, common quality standards.
The CQC have a wide range of enforcement powers, such as fines and public warnings, and they have flexibility about how and when to use them.
Further information on the Commission including their enforcement powers can be found on their website at:
http://www.cqc.org.uk/aboutcqc/whatwedo/registrationandenforcement.cfm
Since there are no apparent circumstances where a not for profit housing association would levy charges upon a local authority, no regulation is currently being envisaged in this area.