KEY POINTS:
A $7.1 million Government pilot loan scheme to help leaky building claimants is yet to lend a cent.
In last year's May Budget, Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove announced the scheme, which was to be a two-year trial.
"A new financial assistance scheme involving market rate loans and loan guarantees will be piloted for two years to help people in the very worst circumstances get their homes fixed first and argue liability second," he said.
"Details will be announced once eligibility and other criteria are decided."
But ministerial officials said the scheme was not due to become active until the first of next month.
A spokesman for Housing Minister Chris Carter said work was still being done to finalise the scheme.
"I understand the details of this scheme are still under development and yet to be announced," he said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Cosgrove said Housing Corporation was establishing the criteria for the loans and more details would emerge soon.
"These loans are for the very worst affected people, where no one else will lend them money," she said. "It was always intended for a limited number of Weathertight Homes Resolution Service claimants."
But John Gray of the Leaky Homes Action Group complained that the loans were too late to help many people who had suffered while officials dithered.
"Is it a bad joke?" he asked. He had helped officials to establish the loan criteria.
"But nothing has been forthcoming," he said.
The Government never put a time limit on the money and had got good publicity from last year's announcement, he said.
