Roundtable with the Housing Secretary and Housing Minister 

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Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison attended an introductory roundtable discussion on building more social and affordable housing with the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed and Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook. The session was held with a small group of senior representatives from councils, housing associations and sector bodies.  

Tracy said:

“I was pleased to meet the Housing Secretary and Housing Minister. It was a very productive discussion about how we can all work together to achieve shared objectives. We discussed the critical focus on the delivery of new homes, the opportunities around Brownfield and the impact that housing partnerships are having across the North.  

“I’m committed to supporting our members to work with the Government to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth, while continuing to offer good quality homes to existing residents. I pressed the importance of housing-led regeneration in the North, and the opportunity for it to support the Government’s ambitions.” 

Thank you to both the Ministers and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for hosting such a useful session.  

Regeneration inquiry moves forward with Lord Best OBE DL as Chair 

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The NHC’s inquiry on housing-led regeneration, supported by Homes for the North and Muse, is gathering pace with the Call for Evidence set to launch at the Northern Housing Summit, and meetings with advisory groups happening now.  

Lord Best OBE DL will chair the inquiry and its advisory group, who met for the first time this week. The advisory group is made up of a mix of housing association chief executives, local and regional government regeneration specialists, policy experts and academics.   

At the first meeting group members fed back on the overarching aims of the inquiry and discussed the Call for Evidence. Director of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University Ed Ferrari updated the group about the research he is doing which will set the scene for the project and analyse the evolving context of regeneration in the North. The work will set out the longstanding challenges and concerns the inquiry will grapple with, as well as the emerging importance of devolution, sustainability, and community cohesion and belonging.  

This followed an NHC member roundtable with senior officials at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. The meeting was used to discuss and improve knowledge of the northern-specific challenge of regeneration as well as to explore how housing led regeneration can contribute to the national drive for growth and stronger communities.   Insight from the meeting will be used as part of the inquiry’s commitment to identifying how the Northern social housing sector can play a role in the Government’s policy programme in this Parliament. 

Next week, the inquiry Westminster Group will meet for the first time. Over the course of the inquiry they will have quarterly meetings to hear evidence and testimonials first hand, as well as offer insight and guidance.  

The Northen Housing Summit on 12th November will provide the stage for the launch of the inquiry Call for Evidence, which help capture the views of the social housing sector in the North. The Summit will also include a session “Beyond 1.5m homes: Once in a (re)generation?” where MHCLG’s Director for New Towns, Infrastructure and Housing Delivery Cathy Francis, Sheffield City Council Director of Housing Services James Clark, NHC Executive Director of Policy and External Relations Patrick Murray, Onward Chief Executive and Chair of Homes for North Bronwen Rapley, and Interim Chair of Homes England Pat Richie will discuss the balance between building new homes, and regenerating the North’s communities, and how the two agendas can reinforce each other. 

You can find more and book your place the Northern Housing Summit here.  

If you would like to find out more about the regeneration inquiry please contact Senior Engagement Manager (Devolution and Place Lead) Liam Gregson.  

  

NHC Autumn Budget Representation sets out key priorities for the North 

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The Northern Housing Consortium submitted a representation to HM Treasury in the run up to the Government’s Autumn Budget, set to take place on 26th November 2025. It focused on how the Government can help the North to deliver its housing ambitions, including 1.5 million new homes and improving the standard and quality of rented housing, including through housing-led regeneration.  

Our key points are: 

  • Rent Convergence – following the government’s commitment to a ten-year rent settlement (CPI+1%), we have reinforced our call for the reintroduction of rent convergence. Our priority is a £2 per week convergence mechanism, maintained throughout the full ten-year policy period. 
  • Housing-led regeneration – one of our major policy priorities to support the North’s housing sector is housing-led regeneration. We are calling for a dedicated, devolved fund for place-based housing regeneration, targeting areas with poor-quality or ageing stock. This will empower Mayoral Combined Authorities and enable the social housing sector to contribute to the government’s goal of delivering 1.5 million homes and driving economic growth. 
  • Decent Homes Standard and regulatory reform – we welcome the government’s commitment to improving housing quality, including modernising the Decent Homes Standard and new energy efficiency requirements. However, the proposed changes introduce costly elements that risk creating inefficiencies and a fragmented approach, diverting funds from improving homes to managing disrepair claims. We have urged the government to revise the proposals to ensure they are practical, cost-effective, and focused on delivering genuinely decent homes. 
  • Fair Funding – the NHC supports simplifying and consolidating grant funding for local authorities and reducing reliance on competitive bidding. We hope the Fair Funding Review will establish a sustainable financial framework for local government, and we stressed the need for increased funding for areas with higher deprivation, many of which are in the North. 
  • Supported Housing – we have urged government for greater investment to expand supported housing supply with a secure, five-year central funding stream, devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities. 
  • Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – we have urged the government to restore LHA rates to at least the 30th percentile from 2026/27 to reflect actual rental costs. The NHC is a signatory to the joint sector letter calling for this change. 

Commenting on the representation the NHC’s Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:  

“The NHC supports the government’s ground-breaking investment in social housing, including the £39 billion commitment to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme and the ten-year rent settlement. In our budget representation, we have highlighted ways the Government can make sure the social housing sector in the North is able to deliver more new homes while also continuing to ensure existing residents can live in a warm, safe and affordable home. 

“We welcomed the recent consultation on rent convergence and are urging the Government to reintroduce rent convergence from 1st April 2026 at £2 per week for the full ten-year rent policy period. This will strengthen sector finances and enable greater investment in new and existing homes.  

“Recent proposals to update the decent homes and energy efficiency standards are welcome. However, we are urging the Government to re-assess and modify the proposed standards through a better understanding of the realities in practice and trade-off with new supply.  It is vital to make sure the reforms support providers to invest in homes efficiently, while maximising benefits to tenants. 

“We have also highlighted the need to invest in place-based housing regeneration, alongside investment in new homes, to improve areas with poor-quality, ageing homes. Our regeneration inquiry will explore how the social housing sector can benefit communities through regeneration.” 

Read our Budget representation here. 

NHC comment on Decent Homes Standard consultation

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Following engagement with members we’ve submitted our response the Government’s consultation on the proposed new Decent Homes Standard.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“We welcome the government’s commitment to update the Decent Homes Standard and extend it to the private rented sector – a move that will help ensure safer, healthier housing for 336,000 Northern households currently living in non-decent private rented homes. However, significant investment in local authority capacity to enable enforcement is needed if we want to see real change in the private rented sector.

“We have advocated for an updated set of standards. However, we are concerned that the proposed changes will come with a significant price tag for the social rented sector, that is not reflected by the Government’s assessment of costs.

“We are calling on the Government to work closely with our members to understand the true costs of the proposed Decent Homes Standard, alongside other significant changes such as the revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and Awaab’s Law. Only then can the trade off with other priorities, such as building more homes, be properly understood and considered.

“Consultation with members has highlighted that changes to key aspects of the standard, such as the expanded component list and removal of age criteria, will be challenging to implement for social housing providers. That’s why we’re encouraging the Government to work closely with our members to refine the detail of the standard to make sure it offers value-for-money and the best outcomes for tenants.”

You can read the full consultation response here.

NHC submits response to rent convergence consultation

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This week, the NHC submitted our response to the government’s consultation on how to implement rent convergence as part of the next social housing rent policy.

In our response we said that we believe convergence should be reintroduced from 1st April 2026, permitted at a level of £2 per week and for at least 10 years in duration, aligned with the wider ten year rent policy of CPI+1%.

For landlords in the North of England, convergence at £2 per week for 10 years would increase total rental income by £1.73 billion. This benefit would be split almost evenly between local authority landlords and housing associations (52% vs 48% respectively).

A policy of £2 per week also ensures that the vast majority of the benefit of convergence can be achieved within the next few years. This means that additional income can be used within this parliament to deliver on several of the government’s housing ambitions, including building 1.5 million new homes and delivering new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for social homes.

Patrick Murray, Executive Director of Policy and External Relations, said:

Rent convergence is an important lever that will unlock greater investment in new and existing homes across the North. A £2 per week policy would not only deliver greater financial capacity for landlords in the North—it would do so faster, enabling meaningful reinvestment in this parliament. Crucially, a policy of £2 per week over ten years strikes the right balance between enabling greater investment by landlords and ensuring that rents remain affordable for residents. 

 You can read our full submission here.

Building the Future: Northern Homes, National Ambition 

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On Monday 29 September, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, we will be holding a joint event – Building the Future: Northern Homes, National Ambition – with Homes for the North at Labour Party conference.

One year into a new government, housing and regeneration are once again central to delivering growth and transforming Northern communities. Planning reform, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on affordable homes are shaping some of the most ambitious targets in a generation – placing delivery firmly in the spotlight.

The Northern Housing Consortium, with Homes for the North and Muse, are embarking upon a new Inquiry exploring where next for housing-led regeneration in the North.

Our reception will bring together sector partners, parliamentarians, metro mayors and council leaders to discuss how the North is leading the way in turning ambition into action.

Set in the heart of the conference fringe, the evening will offer a relaxed space to:

  • Discuss the North’s progress on housing delivery
  • Engage with national, regional and local government leaders
  • Connect with the housing associations shaping the future of housing and place-making
  • Find out more about the new Inquiry on housing-led regeneration in the North

 This is a key moment to reflect on what’s been achieved – and to look ahead at how housing can drive growth, renewal, and opportunity across the North.

The reception will be held at PlusDane offices, conveniently located adjacent to the main conference venue.

Any NHC members who wish to attend should email: ellie.nagy@lexcomm.co.uk

 GEM bursary “an amazing opportunity to grow, build confidence, and develop new skills”

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The NHC is once again partnering with the GEM programme to offer a free place on their housing leadership development programme for someone who lives in social housing and works for an NHC member organisation.

We caught up with Katie Spittle an Investment Planning Officer at the Riverside Group and this year’s GEM Bursary recipient to find out more about her experience of the programme.

The programme offers a combination of face-to-face events, mentoring and the opportunity to achieve a CIH Level 4 qualification.

 

Why did you apply for the GEM bursary?

Over the past four years at Riverside, I’ve often considered applying for development programmes but lacked the confidence to take that step. When the GEM bursary opportunity was announced, I saw it as a chance to challenge myself, grow professionally, and build on the skills I’ve been developing. Although I wasn’t sure I’d be successful, I knew it was the right time to step forward and invest in my potential.

What has been your experience of the programme so far, what have been the highlights?

I’ve particularly valued the GEM Shacks, as they’ve given me the space to reflect on my career path and consider new directions I hadn’t previously explored. They’ve opened my eyes to different areas within the housing sector and helped me recognise how my existing skills are transferable across a range of roles.

Being part of a programme that promotes reflection, and continuous improvement has reignited my passion for working in this sector. It’s boosted my confidence and inspired me to approach new challenges with a more proactive and open mind.

It’s hard to pinpoint a single highlight, as each GEM Shack brings something new and valuable. However, our visit to the Wheatley Group in Glasgow stands out as one of the most impactful experiences so far. The warm welcome we received and the thoughtfully curated programme made a lasting impression.

 

How to you think the GEM programme will help you develop your role or career?

The GEM programme is already helping me build the confidence and skills I need to take the next step in my career. Through my mentor support, expanding my professional network, and making progress towards my CIH qualification, I’ve gained increased personal confidence and a clearer sense of direction.

It’s made me see my organisation from a broader perspective, encouraging me to explore opportunities I might have previously overlooked. I’ve started getting involved in areas beyond my current role, which has deepened my understanding of the wider business and helped me build new connections with colleagues I wouldn’t normally interact with.

It’s also reinforced the importance of keeping tenants at the heart of our work—something that can be easy to overlook in non-customer-facing roles. It’s encouraged me to explore new ways to connect with tenants and find opportunities within our team to engage with them directly, ensuring their voices help shape the work I do.

 

What would you say to someone who is thinking of applying?

 I’d say—go for it! The GEM programme is an amazing opportunity to grow, build confidence, and develop new skills, all while being supported by a fantastic team. Be open to learning and make the most of every opportunity. I hesitated at first, but applying was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The experience has exceeded all my expectations, both personally and professionally.

 

Please email Ross Price to find out more about the programme, the deadline for applications is 26th September.

NHC event puts regeneration centre stage in Parliament

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The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) hosted a parliamentary event which brought MPs, NHC members and other stakeholders together. They discussed the need for housing-led regeneration to make sure northern communities can live in safe, affordable homes in places they are proud of.

The event followed recent government housing announcements that have significantly increased investment in affordable housing and provided much-needed long-term funding certainty and clarity around legislation. Regeneration has also featured in the announcements, with confirmation about flexibility in the Social and Affordable Homes Programme for replacement homes. It has also been put forward as a key deliverable in integrated settlements, and the Local Growth Plan is set to support Mayors to boost community-led regeneration.

The NHC plans to launch an inquiry Where Next for Housing-Led Regeneration in the North, supported by Homes for the North and Muse, later in the year to define housing-led regeneration’s role in tackling the housing crisis, delivering growth and building stronger communities.  It will look at how the social housing sector can bring maximum benefits to communities through regeneration with current government support and explore how to go even further in the future to meet the needs of the North.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: “The outcome of the spending review and the recent housing announcements are milestone moments for the social housing sector in the North, which will drive real change. To effectively tackle the housing crisis in the North, housing-led regeneration must sit alongside new housing supply and support to improve existing homes.

“Our research has consistently shown that the North is disproportionally affected by low quality homes with over one million non-decent homes in the North. The problem is most acute in the private rented sector with 27 per cent of homes not meeting current Decent Homes Standards.  We’ve also found that there are 126,000 social housing homes in the North reaching the end of their serviceable life. These issues must be addressed if we want to make sure everyone has access to a safe and warm home they can afford.

“The right foundations are in place for the North to hit the ground running. We’re leading the way with devolution, and housing partnerships are driving collaboration. Through our Inquiry, we want to work with parliamentarians, members, residents and other stakeholders to maximise the benefits of regeneration for communities in the North.”

Speakers at the event included Lord Best OBE, DL who set the scene about why housing-led regeneration is a priority for the North and Liz Twist MP and Andrew Cooper MP gave parliamentarians perspectives on regeneration. Onward Chief Executive and Chair of Homes for North, Bronwen Rapley, highlighted why regeneration is a priority for Homes for the North. Managing Director of Muse, Phil Mayall, spoke about regeneration from a commercial view point and his experience of transforming places. Chief Executive of believe housing Alan Smith shared insight about regeneration projects and Chief Executive of Incommunities and Chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership Rachael Dennis talked about regeneration and devolution from a housing partnership perspective.

Bronwen Rapley, Chair of Homes for the North, said: “The Government has set out a transformative vision to deliver the biggest boost to housebuilding in generations. Regeneration has a critical role to play in helping to unlock the delivery of more and better homes. Our research shows that regeneration across the North could support the creation of 305,000 homes, equivalent to 4.3 years of housing supply.

“The North faces a particular set of challenges, from a lack of housing to contaminated sites and ageing homes, that are holding back regeneration. We now have an opportunity to work with the Government to help shape delivery mechanisms that can address some of these barriers. Whilst there are challenges, the potential of regeneration is even greater.

“This inquiry comes at a critical moment and we look forward to contributing to this vital and timely conversation about the role that regeneration has to play in unlocking growth and revitalising communities.”

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the NHC and Homes for the North on this important inquiry. Against the backdrop of the government’s positive agenda for the industry and the tools which have already been provided to us, we’re at a real moment in time where we can go even further in delivering meaningful change in the North of England.

“Drawing on our decades of experience as placemakers, we’re looking forward to sharing our case studies, lessons, and learnings. With a growing focus also on promoting partnerships as a means to further transform communities, we are excited to offer an insight into how we have been working in partnership with the public and private sector, including through ECF, our partnership with L&G and Homes England, and our plans for the future through Habiko, with PIC and Homes England.”

Further information about the need for regeneration in the North can be found in the NHC’s annual state of the region report the Northern Housing Monitor. The NHC conducted member research ‘Understanding the Need for Regeneration in the North’, which can be found here.

This event supported by Homes for the North and Muse and powered by the NHC’s commercial arm NHC Procurement.

NHC’s Lynda Redshaw awarded MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list

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Huge congratulations to our Lynda Redshaw who has been awarded an MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list!

Executive Assistant Lynda has been the backbone of the NHC for 34 years, helping us grow from a team of three to a team of 40+. She is a role model and a prolific charity fundraiser who has raised over £60,000. More recently she’s been instrumental in setting up the Unlocking Success Bursary and has been a big part in its success.

Lynda turned 70 last year but continues to work beyond retirement age and has demonstrated courageous commitment to her role in the face of difficult personal circumstances.

Our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Lynda. Everyone at the NHC is absolutely over the moon for her. She is a well-loved colleague and someone who has made a tremendous contribution to the NHC and the social housing sector in the North.”

Lynda is absolutely delighted – and still in shock – about receiving the award. She is looking forward to attending the ceremony with her family.

I’m sure you’ll join us all at the NHC in offering your congratulations to Lynda!