Single housing agency will make a difference
Aug 29 2008 by Sir Bob Keslake, The Journal
ACHIEVING Royal Assent for the Housing and Regeneration Bill to become an Act in July means the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be up and running by early December.
This accelerated start date will help provide stability and clarity for our partners during these economically uncertain times.
As the single, national housing and regeneration agency, the HCA will bring together English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation’s invest- ment arm and the Academy for Sustainable Communities with some delivery functions of communities and local government.
I am currently working with a small set-up team to establish a responsive, adaptable agency that will meet the needs of individual areas by creating and regenerating places where people want and can afford to live. It’s been suggested that the HCA may be too remote and constrained by achieving national housing targets to make a real difference to enhancing people’s quality of life.
My response is that you can’t have homes without building successful communities, so it’s imperative that the HCA will operate as a national organisation that delivers locally.
A strong regional presence aligned to the nine Government Offices will enable us to understand the aspirations people have for their communities.
Our commitment to working in collaboration at a local and regional level will enable us to identify and deliver joint housing and regener- ation objectives.
Termed the single conversation, this process involves having a regular, ongoing dialogue with local authorities to agree a shared clarity of purpose and understanding of how to make best use of HCA expertise and investment.
The single conversation means we can bring all our partners together to deliver local ambitions within the context of supporting national programmes for growth and renewal.
By building flexibility into our relationships and ways of working, we will be able to adapt to shifting priorities and changing economic circumstances.
The range of tools at our disposal will help local authorities achieve their ambitions.
These include making best use of surplus public-sector land, develop- ing innovative joint venture models, such as the Local Housing Company being piloted in Newcastle, and helping developers by streamlining the procurement process and marketing smaller sites.
It’s very apparent that people want an agency that is involved in long-term regeneration and improves the availability of affordable housing.
We will encourage and promote good design in the delivery of energy-efficient, flexible homes, infrastructure and accessible local services, all of which have a direct impact on quality of life.
By unlocking the supply of land, working in partnership, setting standards and providing access to funding and expertise, the HCA will have a central role in building communities that will stand the test of time.
For more information on Constructing Excellence in the North East, contact regional director, Catriona Lingwood on (0191) 383-7435 or catriona@constructingexcellence- ne.org.uk
Sir Bob Kerslake is chief executive designate of the Homes and Communities Agency
My response is that you can’t have homes without building successful communities
