NHC host MHCLG visit to Greater Manchester

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We were delighted to welcome Ruhena Ahmed (Deputy Director, Social Housing Quality and Residents), and colleagues from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for a visit of members’ sites across Greater Manchester.

MHCLG colleagues had the opportunity to see a range of members’ projects from estate regeneration and terraced street renewal to extra care facilities and housing and support services for young care leavers.

To kick off the day, we visited Irwell Valley Homes’ award-winning Sale West regeneration project. The Sale West estate has had £50m of regeneration work take place and is the largest project of its kind in Greater Manchester for over a decade.

The project includes 263 affordable new homes, over £7m invested to improve existing homes, and funding through the Social Housing Quality Fund to target more than 250 homes with new insulation, ventilation and heating systems.

Phase 1 of the project is now complete and the last homes in Phase 2 are also now being finalised. Irwell Valley are eager to move forward with Phase 3 but funding for the next phase is a challenge. Irwell Valley colleagues explained the importance of complementary funding streams in parallel with their own investment.

Our next visit was to MSV Housing’s Elmswood extra care scheme situated in the Depot regeneration site in Moss Side. The former Stagecoach Depot has been redeveloped to provide much-needed housing options for every stage of life within the community. For MSV, this includes 72 extra care apartments, 40 affordable HAPPI scheme apartments and 30 shared ownership family homes.

We also did a walking tour of the Moss Side to see some of the renewal MSV have done on the traditional terraced streets. This included a quick stop at the site of a former nightclub. Manchester City Council have appointed MSV to build 280 new homes, to regenerate this site and the surrounding area.

MHCLG colleagues saw the brilliant community work MSV does at its Positive Futures facility – a training and education facility with apartments for care experienced young people.

Finally, we visited Johnnie Johnson Housing’s Wellington House, an independent living development for over 55s with 26 flats. MHCLG colleagues heard stories from residents of previously being homeless and the joy of finding a safe place to live. Wellington House is in being renovated and the visit showed the positive impact this will have on the people living there.

Throughout the day it was clear to see the fantastic work our members are doing. It was also great to see the emphasis on engaging with residents, and the role our members play as anchor institutions in their communities.

We are always on the look out for members’ sites to visit as part of our influencing work. Please get in touch if you’d like us to visit one of your sites. We’re keen to engage with the new Government and showcase the brilliant work our members are doing.

Government roundtable discusses affordable housing delivery

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Northern Housing Consortium’s Chief Executive, Tracy Harrison, has taken part in a roundtable event with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Angela Rayner MP and the Minister for Housing, Matthew Pennycook MP, discussing affordable and social housing delivery.

The event was attended by council leaders, sector representatives and housing associations and enabled them to talk directly to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Housing about the challenges and opportunities in delivering affordable and social homes.

Immediately after the event, Tracy Harrison said:

“This was an incredibly upbeat and optimistic session and included discussion on a wide range of issues affecting the housing sector – including the need for a holistic approach to housing quality and energy efficiency in order to provide green and decent homes.

“During the event, Matthew Pennycook underlined the Government’s commitment to building 1.5 million homes over the next five years and said that the social housing sector will be crucial in helping to deliver on this.

“I outlined the opportunity for 320,000 homes on the North’s brownfield land and the changes needed to current funding to help unlock more land, as well as the need for more control and flexibility for our Mayoral Combined Authorities. 

“It’s been less than a month since the new Government came into power and, from these discussions and from the plans which were laid out in the King’s speech on 17th July, it’s clear that housing is at the top of the agenda.

 “The Northern Housing Consortium will continue to act as a voice for housing in the North, making sure that Government fully understands and addresses the challenges we face and that the North can fulfil its potential as we work together to create the affordable, good quality, green homes we need.”

320,000 new homes on brownfield land to tackle the North’s housing crisis

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Our latest research report has found there’s capacity for up to 320,000 new homes on brownfield land in the North.

This will help the Government deliver 1.5m new homes over the next 5 years and play a part in finding homes for the 420,000 Northerners on housing waiting lists.

We’re calling for a £4.2 billion funding package from Government over ten years to prepare the brownfield land in the North for new homes.

The current Brownfield Housing Fund is set to support 24,000 new homes. However, NHC research has found Whitehall red tape is stifling the effectiveness of this fund and some of the North’s brownfield sites are not eligible for funding.

To deliver 320,000 homes over ten years, Government brownfield funding must be:

  • Devolved not delegated: Give combined authorities the control to use funding in line with local priorities.
  • More flexible with funding requirements: Current value-for-money requirements mean sites in areas with lower land values are often not eligible. Areas most in need of regeneration are losing out.
  • Longer-term: With the current fund, land remediation work must be completed by March 2025. This means more complex sites, such as contaminated land, are not eligible for support.
  • Supported by increased capacity in local government and combined authorities, including in planning. The government has said they will increase planning capacity which will help local government and combined authorities plan a strategic pipeline of Brownfield projects. But more needs to be done.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“There is a massive opportunity across the North to unlock land for up to 320,000 homes, helping provide much needed homes, regenerate communities and rebalance the economy away from London and the South East.

“But the current funding rules don’t work. Central government requirements mean some of the most deprived areas in need of regeneration are not being developed to provide much-needed homes. Brownfield Funding should be further devolved to give local government and combined authorities the flexibility to use it where it’s needed most.

“The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has started to review brownfield funding and the value-for-money appraisal process for housing and land investment. We are keen to work with the Government to deliver changes which will help our members regenerate communities and unleash the benefits of brownfield-first development.”

You can read “Brownfield First – how devolved brownfield funding can build a new generation of homes in the North” here. It includes fifteen recommendations about how the Government can more effectively fund brownfield development.

The NHC conducted and funded this research. It included discussions with Mayoral Combined Authorities in the North of England.

 

Discussing how housing can address inequality with young people  

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Our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison, was part of a Q&A panel at the North East Youth Symposium. She listened to the views of young people and shared insight about the social housing sector and its role in creating positive change for the future.

The NE Youth Symposium aims to unite young people with decision-makers and sector leaders across the North East. It’s a forum to discuss issues such as poverty and inequality, community safety, physical and mental health, education and employment.

Tracy, who joined decision-makers, policy makers and funders from the region, participated in the poverty and inequality roundtable, sharing insights on the role of social housing in the North East. She discussed the part it plays in tackling child poverty and why good-quality, affordable, energy-efficient housing is important

The session looked at the work the social housing sector is doing to tackle inequalities for young people and how it is supporting individuals and communities.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of Northern Housing Consortium said:

“It was an absolute pleasure – and very humbling – to attend the North East Youth Symposium and listen to the young people’s views. Many of the issues we heard about in our recent Pride in Place work came through strongly on the day: fragmented and patchy access to public services, absence of good quality green spaces, and a lack of voice and agency in decision-making being consistent themes.

“Making sure there is enough high-quality and affordable housing will remain the single most important thing that we can do as a sector to address poverty and inequality in the North. It’s been great to highlight and discuss those issues with attendees. It’s our job to keep promoting the important role housing plays in shaping young peoples’ futures.  We must make sure that politicians and government recognise that too.”

House of Commons celebration for Northern Housing Consortium at 50

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As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we held a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons.

Lord Best OBE DL hosted this special event and was joined by housing leaders, senior civil servants, parliamentarians, residents and community representatives. The reception reflected on the achievements of the past, current challenges, and explored how together we can create great homes and communities in the future.

Alongside Lord Best OBE DL speakers were NHC Chief Executive Tracy Harrison; MP for Blaydon and Consett Liz Twist; Yorkshire Housing resident and Social Housing Tenants’ Climate Jury juror Terry Tasker; NHC Board member Jane Everton; and Onward Homes CEO & NHC Board member Bronwen Rapley.

Liz Twist MP spoke about the work of the NHC and the all-party party parliamentary group to support housing in the North, and the importance of finding specific solutions for every community.

Key themes discussed included the role the NHC plays in bringing the sector together, and the importance of engaging with residents and putting them at the heart of decisions.

 

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive, Northern Housing Consortium, said:

“It was fantastic to get together with senior civil servants, NHC board members and parliamentarians at the House of Commons to reflect on what the NHC has achieved over the past 50 years and to discuss the impact of the new Government’s focus on affordable and sustainable housing. Being here right at the start of this new parliament made the day particularly special.”

“It was also encouraging to hear our offer to the new Government ‘Building the Future of Housing in the North’

referenced consistently throughout the day, alongside plans to maximise opportunities for the North.  It was very clear from the speakers that the sector is ready to kickstart change for the future and do things with a long-term outlook. We are excited to start delivering our plans.”

Northern Housing Consortium 2024 Election of Directors

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The Northern Housing Consortium represents the views of housing organisations in the North of England, with our membership of local and combined authorities, ALMOs and housing associations representing over 9 out of every 10 social homes in the North.  Our vision is our collaborative Northern voice helps members create and regenerate sustainable homes and build resilient, thriving communities.

The overall management and strategic direction of the Northern Housing Consortium is entrusted to the Board of Directors who are subject to election each year from Full Member organisations.  Membership of the Board is balanced between the three Northern regions and consideration is made of sectoral representation across different organisation types as well as the need for balance across the range of equality categories – age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation. We would strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds to support our inclusion and diversity objectives.

Under the Consortium’s governance arrangements, all nominations for the position of Director will be reviewed by the Board (or their nominated representatives), against a Skills Set for Directors to ensure that they meet the Board’s requirement to fill any vacancies – the Skills Set and Board Director Role Profile are enclosed in the Board Director Nomination Pack.

In accordance with a procedure agreed by the Board, we are seeking nominations for up to four new Directors’ places to be filled for the three-year period 2024-2027.  The Directors who are also retiring this year but who wish to stand for re-election are as follows:

  1. Leann Hearne, Chief Executive, Livv Housing Group
  2. Charlotte Norman, Chief Executive, Mosscare St Vincents Housing Group
  3. Sharon Kemp, Chief Executive, Rotherham MBC (previously co-opted to fill a casual vacancy on 23rd November 2023).

NB The Board have confirmed their support for the re-election of the above candidate.

Should the number of successful nominations exceed the vacancies available, a ballot will be arranged and the results announced for formal approval by the Full Members at the Consortium’s Annual General Meeting on 21st November 2024

A nomination form is included in the Nomination Pack, and I invite you to consider and make nominations of candidates no later than 14th August 2024.  Please note that you can nominate more than one candidate but in doing so, you should note the conditions for nominating candidates included in the Nomination Pack.

An application form can be obtained from anastasia.armstrong@northern-consortium.org.uk This must be completed by the nominee and returned with the nomination form no later than 14th August 2024.

If you would like to discuss your nomination for the position of Director, please contact:-

 

Tracy Harrison

Chief Executive

T: 07809659492

E: tracy.harrison@northern-consortium.org.uk

NHC reaction to Government’s focus on housing

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The NHC has welcomed the new Government’s focus on housing in its first few days of office.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognised the importance of affordable housing in his first speech; and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now promised to “get Britain building” with planning reform and new house building targets.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium said:

“We welcome the new Government’s focus on housing. The Prime Minister has recognised the importance of affordable housing in his first speech, and this morning, in her first speech, the Chancellor has also set out immediate action to build more homes.

“New housebuilding targets will give certainty and help local authorities to plan more effectively. The focus and reference to more social rent homes is especially welcome.

“Whilst we support more flexibility with greenbelt land, it is good to see the new Government confirm they also want to build more homes on brownfield land. Our research shows there is the potential to build up to 320,000 homes on brownfield land in the North.

“We also welcome the commitment to 300 new planning officers. Local authorities across the North have been hit disproportionately by cuts to planning departments, and capacity support is desperately needed.”

2024 General Election Briefing out now

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We’ve witnessed the first change of government for over a decade. The political landscape in the North – and the UK – looks different with 69 new MPs in the North.

The NHC General Election briefing gives a lowdown on who all the Northern MPs are – and flags those with interests relevant to our members.

It also looks at the predicted policies of the next government, and what the next steps will be for the NHC.

Read the briefing here.

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“We’re ready and waiting to work in partnership to help the new Government deliver real change across the North. We have set out how we can work with Labour to build up to 320,000 new homes on brownfield land, and to create 77,000 good, green jobs by building on the work our members have already started to make Northern homes more energy efficient.

“We want to work with our members and the new Government to make sure everyone in the North has access to a decent home across the social and private rented sectors. To deliver this, the housing sector and local authorities need long-term certainty around policy and funding.

“If the government wants to make a real difference, there needs to be an understanding of how challenges play out differently across the country, especially with the diversity of markets and communities we have across the North. We’re pleased the Labour party has committed to deepen existing devolution agreements, including giving combined authorities new planning powers along with new freedoms and flexibilities to make better use of grant funding.”

Building the Future of the North sets out how the NHC and our members can work with the next government to transform communities in the North and enable thousands more northerners to live in good quality homes.

Building the Future of the North

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Building the Future of the North is our new offer to government to work together over the next ten years to transform communities and enable thousands more northerners to live in good quality homes. 

Patrick Murray, NHC Executive of Policy and Public Affairs explains more about the offer and his hopes for the future – both long and short term.

 

Why is the 2024 general election crucial for housing in the North?

We desperately need a long-term plan for housing. For decades, and under successive Governments, the country has failed to deal with the housing challenges we face, whether it’s a shortage of genuinely affordable good quality homes, or the significant number of older, colder homes in the North, or communities that have been overlooked by Governments wedded to a London-dominant economic model. Given that a good, stable, affordable home in a great community underpins good health, employment and educational opportunities, and ultimately a good life, we can’t afford to continue like this.

The Government might well change hands for what would be only the third time during my lifetime, and certainly the first time where housing is being featured in the campaign. The challenges are enormous, and there is a lot of work to do to get the next administration – whoever it is – to understand how those challenges play out in different parts of the country, especially the diversity of markets and communities we have across the North.

But there is a real opportunity here, and much to build on with the great work the sector already does and the progress made in devolution to Mayoral Combined Authorities over recent years. I’ve been in local and central Government and I know that you just can’t fix something this complex and interconnected on the ground from a distant, silo-ed Whitehall.

 

If you were in a lift with the next housing minister, how would you pitch NHC’s Building the Future of the North offer? 

We can help you deliver real change on your priorities across the North. There is so much potential to make a real difference to people’s lives and communities across the North. Whether that’s building up to 320,000 homes across brownfield land, or creating 77,000 great new green jobs across the North and helping meet Net Zero, or making sure everyone has a decent home across social and private rented sectors, we are your partners to deliver.

So, work with us. Provide us the long-term certainty, unleash the power of devolution to deliver across the diversity of markets in the North, and have a sensible conversation about what’s needed to tackle so many challenges within the resources available, and let’s build that real partnership. Do that and we’ll push everything we can to deliver your priorities.

 

What changes do you want to see over the next ten years?

Building the Future for the North sets out what we think that long-term plan for housing needs to look like in the North. There’s some tweaks we can make quickly to make existing funding go further, such as changing the rules on how we use affordable housing grant for regeneration schemes, or embedding and building on positive changes to how value for money is measured across Government funding programmes.

But the big stuff needs that long-term approach. A £4.2bn investment over ten years for Combined Authorities will unlock land for up to 320,000 homes on brownfield land. Long-term certainty over affordable housing grant and rents, and funding for Net Zero will unlock our ability to plan effectively, achieve efficiencies, line up supply chains, work with training providers to create new jobs, and ultimately deliver what’s needed.

We also desperately just need to rebuild capacity in local authorities. We heard from residents in our Pride in Place work how important basic services are in underpinning flourishing communities. We know that planning capacity has been disproportionately hit in the North. And we can’t tackle poor standards in the private rented sector without investing in enforcement. So, a sustainable funding settlement for local Government and some targeted pots will go a long way.

And devolution absolutely needs to be at the heart of this. There’s so much potential to achieve a real step change by joining things up across places. There is real ambition and momentum around Mayoral Combined Authorities that we can unleash by working in partnership.

 

And what are your hopes for housing in the north over the next 50 years?

That the housing crisis is a distant memory. That we’ve finally escaped  the already broken, over-centralised economic model that has held productivity back in this country for too long. That all places across the North have been able to unleash their full potential, with everyone getting a fair start and fair chance, and with real opportunities to build a good life in flourishing communities, no matter where you live.

Visiting members’ sites across West Yorkshire

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As part of our continuous work engaging with our members and highlighting the great work they are doing, we visited various sites across West Yorkshire.

We kicked off the visits with a trip to the Climate Innovation District (CID). Developed by Citu, the CID is an £800m project on former brownfield land forming party of Leeds’ major South Bank regeneration project. The District includes hundreds of highly energy efficient homes along with infrastructure such as a school, leisure and office facilities.

We then had the opportunity to visit 54North’s Railway Street site in central Leeds. The project was provided with funding through the Brownfield Housing Fund as well as funding from Homes England and Leeds City Council and will deliver 58 sustainable homes social homes.

Moving on, we hopped on the train to Bradford where we had a walking tour of the Bradford City Village project. The project will redevelop sites in the heart of Bradford city centre to deliver up to 1,000 new homes and create a healthy and sustainable community friendly city centre neighbourhood. Find out more about the project here.

Finally, we travelled across West Yorkshire to Kirklees Council’s Soothill Lane site. This 12 hectare greenfield site is owned by the Council and is being delivered by Keepmoat Homes with funding support from Homes England’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction Programme and the former Local Growth Fund. This project focuses on the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), with 300 units to be completed using MMC – which will help to increase the pace of delivery and the production of higher quality, energy efficient homes.

We are always on the look out for members’ sites to visit as part of our influencing work. Please get in touch if you’d like us to visit one of your sites. After the general election we’ll be looking to engage with a new government and illustrate the brilliant work our members are doing.