Housing Market Renewal

Housing market renewal is transforming the quality and range of housing in communities in the north of England and the Midlands.

The housing market renewal programme aims to rebuild housing markets in areas with low demand for housing. People living in these areas often have limited housing choices and the available buildings may be in poor condition. Their homes are typically valued at prices significantly below local averages and people can find themselves trapped in unsuitable homes that they cannot afford to maintain or improve.

Housing market renewal funding is largely targeted towards physical improvements that help to rebuild communities and reconnect the area with the mainstream housing market. The government invested £1.2bn in housing market renewal from 2002-08 and around £1bn has been allocated to the programme for 2008-2011.

Pathfinder areas

Housing market renewal pathfinder projects have been running in nine areas since 2002. Each pathfinder is providing better homes through a combination of housing stock refurbishment, clearance and replacement. High-quality design standards are an important factor in the regeneration of pathfinder areas.

The pathfinders are:  

Each pathfinder is a partnership between local authorities and other key regional and local stakeholders. Residents work with the pathfinder partnership to ensure that proposals reflect the needs of the local community. Pathfinders also tackle related wider issues that affect the popularity of the area, such as skills, education, crime, antisocial behaviour and poor landlords.

The HCA is responsible for agreeing funding allocations for pathfinder projects, making grant payments and monitoring progress against plans. We also provide advice and support to pathfinders, helping with the development of local plans and making connections with wider strategies where appropriate.

Impact

By the end of 2008, the housing market renewal programme had refurbished and improved around 40,000 homes, built 1,100 new properties and demolished just under 10,000 properties. Average house prices in the nine pathfinder areas have doubled since 2002 and population decline is slowing in many of the areas.

Confidence is returning to the pathfinders but challenges remain to close the economic and social gap between these areas and those around them. As part of our involvement in the housing market renewal programme, we will be evaluating options for future interventions and priorities beyond 2010/11.

Contact details

Mike Seager
Housing Market Renewal Team Leader
Tel: 0207 881 1667

 

Last updated: 3 June 2009

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