Major housing and regeneration review announced

A major review will be carried out into how the delivery of housing and renewal can be improved across England.

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, and Local Government and Communities Minister, David Miliband, have today announced the plans.

Mr Miliband said the review would look at how government could take the next step in improving the delivery of sustainable communities.

It will draw on advice from an expert panel, including the Chairs and Chief Executives of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, representatives of local government, lenders, and other external members with relevant expertise.

The review will consider the best way of organising national delivery to make the most of private investment, public subsidy and land holdings, and assets funded by past public investment, to support the delivery of new homes, the improvement of existing homes, and the creation mixed, sustainable communities.

Mr Miliband said: "We have made real progress over the last few years. But delivering sustainable communities across England will require even greater focus and skill in the future, as we move towards creating genuinely mixed, sustainable communities in every English region.

"In the successful programmes of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation we have a strong foundation. But this review is about much more than just the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.

"It is about looking at how can make more of the resources at our disposal and how we can bring innovative solutions to the challenges we face."

Housing Corporation Chairman Peter Dixon, strongly welcomed the review.

He said: "The Corporation has a first record in delivering new homes to high standards and excellent value for money, levering in high levels of private investment at very low cost, and supporting the housing association sector to develop as cutting edge social businesses. 

"We have had significant success in bringing new entrants to the market over the last year, exceeding our targets for new homes to rent and buy, whilst maintaining a strong and stable sector that meets the needs of some five million tenants in neighbourhoods and communities across the country.

"I welcome the opportunity the review provides to further strengthen Government's ability to deliver strong, decent and sustainable communities for all."

Margaret Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships, said: "We welcome this review of improving the way we deliver housing and renewal across England.

"English Partnerships has an outstanding track record in removing the barriers to creating truly sustainable communities. Our expertise lies in bringing forward innovative ways that balance economic, social, environmental and infrastructure needs while levering in significant levels of private finance to maximise the public investment. We believe this review will recognise and capitalise on our proven strengths."

The review is expected to report to Ministers in July, with decisions to be announced during the summer.