News: Homes and Communities Agency set out priorities

On its first day of operation the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), outlined its commitment to address current market conditions. England’s new housing and regeneration agency will establish new ways of working in a bid to sustain development activity during the downturn. The HCA recognise that in Yorkshire, the decline of traditional industries, along with greater household mobility and changes in people’s aspirations, has led to a complex market of demand patterns across the region. House prices mean that home ownership is often out of the reach of lower-income families and first-time buyers. The HCA are looking for innovative ways of addressing these issues and maintaining momentum in the current economic downturn. Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA said: "Now more than ever we need an integrated approach to housing and regeneration in this country. Our response to the impact of the credit crunch will be investment led and counter-cyclical in order to maintain a level of activity in housebuilding and prepare the industry for the upturn. "We are ready to tackle this challenge and will support our public and private sector partners through these difficult times." For Rotherham the priorities focus on housing market renewal and continuing the housing market renewal pathfinders that are transforming local housing market conditions and driving economic regeneration. The HCA is also working with the government to support a new housing Growth Point in the Sheffield City region.

HCA website

Rotherham