Putting performance measurement into context: classifying social housing organisations

The increasing role of performance measurement in the public sector raises questions about the comparability of comparisons. This paper examines the context which determines the performance of housing associations. This is achieved through an examination of the background to performance measurement in housing and housing associations in particular. The paper then explores methodological issues involved in developing a "standard classification of housing associations which aims to allow for meaningful comparisons. Conclusions point to data and methodological difficulties, whilst highlighting policy issues based around the growing number of comparisons in social housing, resource allocation and compulsory competitive tendering of housing management. -Author