We challenged the Department on the difference between the number of unsold housing units listed and the much larger numbers that exist across the country according to the HBF. The Department explained that it was in active conversation with the HBF, aiming to better understand the problem and identify whether it might be missing a much more significant issue. It accepted that it needed to work out if it should be approaching the problem in a different way, while also encouraging local authorities, housing associations and developers to become involved in the existing Clearing Service.40 Communication and best practice sharing