Renew – gathering evidence and pushing housing-led regeneration up the agenda

Thank you to everyone who responded to the Renew Call for Evidence looking into housing-led regeneration in the North. We have received submissions from housing associations and local authorities who own or manage nearly a million homes. This represents over 70% of the North’s social housing. The team are sifting through the submissions to identify the scale of the need for housing-led regeneration in the North. They’ll look at what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change to ensure housing-led regeneration delivers lasting benefits for residents and communities. We will share findings over the summer.

Next week we are launching a collection of perspectives on regeneration from some of the North’s leading voices. These think pieces set the context for the inquiry looking at why regeneration is an essential part of tackling the housing crisis in the North and driving economic growth. The articles share examples of best practice and partnership working, as well as covering the importance of tenant voice, and looking beyond the social housing sector into the private rented sector and at community-led initiatives. The collection will be available on the Renew website from 1^st April.

In parliament, Andrew Cooper MP, who is Chair of our Westminster Group highlighted Renew to the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP by asking a parliamentary question.

Andrew Cooper MP said:

“The HCLG Select Committee has just published a report on social housing conditions, warning that just under 430,000 social homes are non-decent. Additional research also shows that in the North, over 100,000 social homes are reaching end-of-life over the next ten years. I’m chairing the Westminster Group of the Renew inquiry, looking at how housing-led regeneration in the North can improve housing conditions, support the delivery of new homes and growth.”

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP said in response:

“I have met with Northern Housing Consortium on a number of occasions, my honourable friend will know that funding from the Social and Affordable Homes Programme can be used to support the regeneration of existing social housing estates if he wants to write to me with further details about some of the recommendations he’s just suggested I’d be more than happy to respond.”

We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Minister and sharing our findings with him.