Housing provider investigates staff over HCA money

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Finance, Legal

Swan Housing Group has suspended three members of staff over allegations that grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) was prematurely drawn down.

An investigation is now underway.

The Group has stressed that there is no evidence of any personal gain or of the misuse of public money.

In a statement, the Group said: "Since January 2012, Swan Housing Group, in co-operation with the Social Housing Regulator, has been carrying out an investigation into allegations around the practice of a small number of Swan Housing Group staff prematurely drawing down grant from the Homes and Communities Agency. There is no evidence whatsoever that this practice has been for personal gain of anyone within Swan or that public funds have been misused.

"An Interim Report has been prepared by solicitors Devonshires, containing preliminary findings and allegations that a small number of Swan Housing Group staff had deliberately subverted the operating system for premature grant draw down.

"Following the comments in the Interim Report, three members of staff have been suspended pending a full internal investigation in accordance with normal H.R. procedure. Additionally, a consultant's contract has been terminated.

"Swan Housing Group is committed to the highest standards of probity and conduct in all of its dealings and expects the same of all of its staff and consultants."

A HCA spokesperson said: “We have been working with Swan to investigate this issue, and until we have completed that work we cannot comment further.”