Public Funds, Private Silence: Housing Providers and Angela Rayner Yet to Answer Questions
By Jason Nield, Tameside Independent – 10 July 2025
More than a week after being contacted by Tameside Independent, several GMCA-funded housing providers — including those operating in Tameside — have failed to respond to a public interest enquiry regarding the allocation of publicly funded homes and safeguarding protocols for vulnerable families.
The Unanswered Questions
The enquiry, sent on 3 July 2025, asked providers to clarify:
- How many GMCA-funded homes since April 2024 have been allocated to homeless or priority-need households?
- Their policy on housing requests involving safeguarding concerns, particularly for children with EHCPs and complex needs.
- The proportion of new developments reserved for social rent versus affordable rent.
- Why a significant proportion of advertised homes appear to be restricted to residents aged 55 and over.
The editorial investigation follows a review of the Greater Manchester Warm Homes Social Housing Fund (Wave 3) and other GMCA-administered funding streams, which channel public money into housing associations across the region.
“If these providers are receiving public funds, they owe the public a response. We’re not asking for trade secrets — we’re asking who gets housed, and why.”
– Jason Nield, Editor
While local providers remain silent, we can confirm we have received a response from the government to our open letter which was re-sent on 1st July. However, we are still awaiting a response from the GMCA to a related Freedom of Information request.
One provider, Jigsaw Homes, has responded — confirming that while it has received GMCA funding for three schemes in Tameside, none of the homes have yet been allocated, and all are still under construction. Of the 828 homes it delivered in 2024/25, only 72 were for social rent — less than 9%.
Other providers, including Onward Homes, Irwell Valley Homes, Regenda Group, and Guinness Homes, have yet to reply to the same enquiry.
The enquiry was also sent to Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, whose constituency includes areas affected by these developments. As of publication, no response has been received.
The investigation will continue, with all responses — or lack thereof — published in full.