HCA targets empty homes re-use
THE Homes & Communities Agency has pledged to make bringing more than 120,000 empty homes in the North West back into use a top priority.
The agency has more empty homes (123,000) under its control in the North West than any other area of the country.
Under its new three-year corporate plan, it has pledged to spend £11m of a national budget of £100m delivering 1,075 of these back into use.
The HCA’s North West team is also managing the Clusters of Empty Homes Programme – a further £60m fund to tackle the worst concentrations of poor quality, empty homes in areas of low demand. Iy will work with councils in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria to help them refurbish and reconfigure existing stock.
The agency said other priorities included stimulating development where possible either by bringing forward its own assets or by getting involved with initiatives to stimulate housing through schemes such as the City Deal in Manchester and Liverpool.
HCA North West executive director Deborah McLaughlin said: “The North West is a place of great contrast and diversity encompassing large conurbations, coastal towns and remote rural areas across Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and the city-regions.
“Each place has distinct economic characteristics, market dynamics, opportunities and challenges so we will work closely with local partners to devise tailored approaches that will contribute to economic growth and deliver quality housing that people can afford.”
