The Housing Corporation has named several housebuilders in a shortlist of groups bidding for £3.9 billion of public money. It is the first time that commercial organisations will receive housing corporation money for affordable housing. The housebuilders shortlisted are: David Wilson Homes, Lovell Partnerships, Persimmon Homes, Westbury Homes, Miller Homes, Fairclough Homes Group, Bellway, George Wimpey, Keepmoat, Fairview New Homes, Gleeson Regeneration, The Berkeley Group and Barratt Developments. Richard Hill, the Housing Corporations director of programmes, said: “Private developers, alongside our established housing association partners, have the potential to make a massive contribution to the supply of much-needed affordable homes in England and I am delighted that so many have risen to the challenge by pre-qualifying for this competition.” Detailed bids need to be submitted to the Housing Corporation by early October, with a final decision expected in early 2006.