Have your say – contribute to renewed insight about housing-led regeneration in the North

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We’ve opened a Call for Evidence to gather vital insight into the need for housing-led regeneration in the North. At the Northern Housing Summit, our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison urged northern social housing providers and other stakeholders to help us build a case to Government that demonstrates how housing-led regeneration delivers lasting benefits for residents and communities.

The findings will be used to understand the scale of the need for housing-led regeneration and what can be done to address this need now, in light of new Government investment into building new homes, unlocking brownfield land, strengthening communities, and retrofitting existing homes. The evidence gathered will help create practical recommendations that can shape Government policy and support social housing providers, Mayors and local government to deliver more growth and stronger communities.

The Call for Evidence is part of Renew, an inquiry to explore housing-led regeneration’s role in delivering growth, tackling the housing crisis, and strengthening communities across the North. Renew is supported by Homes for the North and Muse.

Renew will be chaired by Lord Best OBE DL, an independent crossbench Member of the House of Lords with a special interest in housing issues.

Lord Best OBE DL said:

“I am really pleased to be chairing Renew not only because the issue of regeneration in our Northern regions is of huge significance, but also because I know the Northern Housing Consortium will do a really good job in assembling the evidence and making the case for change.

“The powerful voice of the NHC for the Northern regions is badly needed to make the case for housing-led regeneration, particularly for the housing stock that is now reaching the end of its useful life.

“I believe Renew could make a real difference.”

Renew is gaining momentum with the launch of the Call for Evidence following the first meeting of the Westminster Group. This group of parliamentarians will hear evidence and testimonials first hand, as well as offering insight and guidance. There is also a project advisory group made up of housing association chief executives, local and regional government regeneration specialists, policy experts and academics, who will help shape the inquiry and be ambassadors.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“We’re pleased the Government has prioritised tackling the housing crisis, with groundbreaking investment in social housing. The issues affecting communities are different in different places, and in many areas of the North housing-led regeneration should sit alongside new housing supply and support to improve existing homes. Renew will bring together northern social housing providers, the Government, politicians, residents and other stakeholders to make sure everyone has access to a safe and warm home in a place they’re proud of.

“Alongside delivering on current transformative change, we must build an evidence base looking at how we can go even further to drive growth and strengthen communities. I urge as many stakeholders as possible to respond to the Call for Evidence so we can develop the evidence base we need to secure further policy changes and funding to unlock housing-led regeneration. With a track record of delivery and a strong collective voice we can see even more positive change for Northern communities.”

Paul Fiddaman, Deputy Chair of Homes for the North, said:

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to tackle the housing crisis and boost the supply of affordable homes. The North of England faces a distinct set of housing challenges, and our research shows that regeneration can make a significant contribution to housing supply in the region. Regeneration is about more than just supply, however; it can help to build stronger communities and act as a catalyst for growth.

“Therefore, we were pleased to see the positive changes around additionality in the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which will help to create the conditions for Renew to have the most impact. Homes for the North is delighted to support this inquiry and contribute to this important conversation around how we can unlock the transformative potential of regeneration in the North.”

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said:

“As the Government continues to push ahead with its housing ambitions, the launch of this inquiry and call for evidence is a vital step for ensuring that housing-led regeneration in the North of England is as impactful as possible.

“At Muse we are delighted to be partners on this. We recognise that only by working together can we combat the housing crisis and deliver real, meaningful, change to communities across the North.

“As part of this process we will draw on our decades of placemaking experience and offer meaningful insight into how we have worked in partnership to deliver transformative places across the northern region.”

The Renew Call for Evidence will:

  • Explore what we mean by housing-led regeneration, and how we capture the benefits of regeneration activity.
  • Establish the need for housing-led regeneration in the North and how best to communicate this need.
  • Understand what can be delivered within the Government’s current policy programme.
  • Identify levers, both national policy and as part of the devolution agenda, we believe will allow the North to go further.

Northern social housing providers, Mayoral Combined Authorities, local authorities, the Government, politicians, residents and other stakeholders who want to make sure everyone has access to a safe and warm home in a place they’re proud of are invited to respond.

The Call to Evidence is open until 27th February. To find out further information or to submit a response visit www.renew.northern-consortium.org.uk.