The analysis, conducted by leading housing insight specialists Housemark, shows that ALMOs significantly outperform directly delivered council housing management on most metrics at the median point. They are scoring higher across all 22 TSMs in the first half-year TSM survey results.

Housemark researchers also compared operational costs data between the two sectors and concluded that ALMOs deliver services at the same cost or less, delivering value for money across a full range of management functions.

Today the Municipal Journal published an opinion piece from NFA Chair Mike Ainsley and NFA Managing Director Eamon McGoldrick, challenging councils and consultants who claim that ALMO management is ‘expensive’ to examine the data. Leading social housing sector magazine Inside Housing has also published the Housemark report findings in detail.

This important research is showcased across all NFA social media and on its website.

“For some time we have questioned the view of some councils that ALMOs are expensive, often reaching this conclusion after taking confidential consultancy advice that is never made public,” said Mike Ainsley.

“We have never seen good empirical evidence for this perception. Now, for the first time, we have hard data that shows very much the reverse. ALMOs are delivering better performance at either the same cost or, in many instances, more cheaply. This is heartening news for all those who champion the ALMO model as one that not only delivers good services with democratic oversight, but also fully and properly engages tenants.”