Source: PSE Dec 19/Jan 20

Carol Matthews - Chief Executive of The Riverside Group and Chair to H4N – ‘Homes for the North’

Good quality homes are the bedrock of a strong economy and thriving communities yet, across the North, not enough homes are being built. Improving the supply and quality of homes in the North will support economic growth, higher living standards, increased home ownership and stronger communities.

Homes for the North are calling for:

A housing target of 2 million new homes in the North by 2050, set out in a new vision for housing across the North and fully integrated into the Northern Powerhouse Strategy.

A new spatial strategy for planning and investing in homes, to align housing investment with economic ambition.

A new Northern body to drive housing delivery, to equip the North to speak with one clear voice to build the right homes in the right places

A new generation of Northern housing and regeneration deals, integrating existing investment streams in housing, transport and local economic development and supporting greater local control over regeneration priorities.

Our housing agenda is based on solid evidence. I’ll be talking about our research on the new homes that are needed to deliver Northern Powerhouse ambitions; and about how the Northern share of public money made available for new housing faces a dramatic fall of up to 50% unless Government takes a new approach.

I’ll also explain how housing associations play a vital role as anchor institutions in their local communities. The 17 housing associations that make up Homes of the North already provide homes for almost one million people and deliver more than 6,000 new homes a year, but we want to do more. I’m looking forward to EvoNorth 2020 strengthening connections between Northern Powerhouse leaders and organisations from across the North. We have the same aim: a thriving North that is a great place for people to live.

If we align and join up our strategies, we will be able to achieve so much more to build the Northern Powerhouse.

Attend EvoNorth to find out more about the Northern Powerhouse, book your tickets below.