NHC reaction to Andy Burnham MP’s speech

The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) has today welcomed Andy Burnham’s focus on greater devolution of powers to places, and his statement that regeneration will be one of No10 North’s three priority areas. He stressed that everything starts with a good home, and the country needs to put that at the top of its priority list.

Andy Burnham’s call for greater devolution and a focus on housing and regeneration reflects recommendations made by the NHC’s current Renew inquiry into housing-led regeneration and how it can deliver growth, help tackle the housing crisis, and strengthen communities across the North.

Research published by the NHC through its inquiry earlier this month showed that housing-led regeneration can unlock at least 500,000 good-quality homes across the North. This includes more than 100,000 new homes in town and city centres, 320,000 homes on brownfield land and the renewal or replacement of 100,000 social homes in need of regeneration.

The Renew inquiry draws on evidence from organisations responsible for around one million of the North’s 1.4 million social homes and insights from more than 160 regeneration schemes.

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive, NHC, said

“We welcome this renewed focus on regeneration and putting power back into the hands of people and places. In fact, it’s like he’s read our recent Renew Inquiry report and acted on it!

Giving the proposed No.10 North the power to focus on regeneration could be game changing for local communities. It’s great to see the importance of a good quality home as a foundation of a good life so clearly recognised. Our extensive research with housing providers in the North through the Renew Inquiry shows that housing-led regeneration is essential to increase the supply of new homes, attract private investment, and boost economic growth across our northern regions. It helps create great places to live, improves housing quality and residents’ health and wellbeing, generates jobs and skills opportunities, and promotes sustainability by providing greener, more energy-efficient homes that lower household bills.”

“The North’s towns and cities have different strengths, challenges and ambitions. People who know these places best are local leaders, working alongside residents, housing providers and businesses. More power must be devolved to them. It was great to hear the importance of collaboration to drive change, something that is happening across the North’s housing partnerships.”

These themes will be a key focus of the NHC’s Housing Partnerships Northern Conference on 2nd July in Leeds, which will bring together housing partnerships, Mayoral Strategic Authorities and key local stakeholders together to share learning and shape future policy.