NFA core values and services

NFA core values

Members of the NFA aspire to provide excellent, value for money and customer-led housing services for residents in partnership with their local councils.

Members will seek to develop innovation and continuous improvement in providing, managing and maintaining affordable homes in sustainable neighbourhoods. 

Members will be open and accountable organisations that actively promote equality and social cohesion.

Members will  remain  rooted  in  their  local  community  and will work  in  partnership with others to help deliver locally determined priorities.

Members will share good practice and help support other members of the NFA.

NFA services

The National Federation of ALMOs Ltd (NFA) is the trade body representing 69 members. The NFA represents the interests of its members at national level. In addition to lobbying and negotiating with central government on behalf of its members the NFA runs a website, organises events and regional meetings for its members and provides advice and briefings. After a widespread organisational and structural review the NFA AGM in April 2008 agreed a new constitutional framework and, in December 2008, the NFA became a  limited company. The aims and objectives of the NFA are set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
 
The NFA was established in 2003 when there were less than 20 ALMOs. In 2004 the NFA held its first annual conference and elected the first NFA Board. Since then the sector has expanded. When the last two Round 6 ALMOs went live in summer 2008 and Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust went live in April 2010, the NFA members now manage over one million council homes in 65 local authorities. 
 
The work of  the NFA is overseen by a Board of nine ALMOs elected by members across the four regions (Northern, Midlands, South West, London & Southern). Elections take place every two years. The NFA Board meets three times a year and is supported by an Executive Steering Group  (ESG) of  chief officers elected  from each of the four chief officer regional groups and by a Communications Sub-committee made up of  representatives from the Board, ESG and national communications officers group.
 
In the years since it was established the NFA has:

  • Obtained recognition of the NFA by central government and others as the national body representing the ALMO sector
  • Successfully lobbied for additional rounds of ALMO funding (rounds 5 and 6) and for £2.4bn Decent Homes  funding in the current spending  review period 2008-2011
  • Established that ALMOs have a long-term future post decent homes with the publication of the CLG review of ALMOs in June 2006
  • Developed alternative proposals to the HRA subsidy system  that are now being tested by the government under self financing and which have led directly to the current review of the HRA subsidy system
  •  Ensured amendments to legislation to enable ALMOs to apply directly for anti-social behaviour orders
  • Obtained amendments  to  the  tax  regime so that ALMOs do not  have to pay Corporation Tax on services provided for councils
  • Secured amendments to legislation and policy to enable ALMOs to access Social Housing Grant and the Extra Care Housing Fund
  • Lobbied for changes to the Housing and Regeneration Act to benefit tenants and extend opportunities for ALMOs
  • Developed  joint  working  and  partnership  arrangements  with  other  housing agencies
  • Established the NFA Support Framework and series of regional and national meetings and events to help co-ordinate and involve all ALMOs in national policy development and to provide mutual support and spread good practice across the sector.

The NFA appointed HQN Ltd to run the service led by a steering group of chief officers from ALMOs in 2003. In 2009 the NFA has re-appointed HQN as managing agent for the next three years. HQN will be supported by The Public Affairs Company (PAC) and Acceleris Marketing Communications Ltd who are sub-contracted to deliver the parliamentary and communications part of the service.