South West Housing Initiative

GOVERNMENT MINISTER AND NATIONAL LEADERS WILL ADDRESS SOUTH WEST’S FIRST HOUSING SUMMIT

South West Housing Initiative creates a platform for the solutions to the region‘s housing crisis

Government ministers and regional leaders will head the list of speakers at the first-ever South West housing summit, to be held on 15th January at Sandy Park in Exeter.

Arranged by the South West Housing Initiative (SWHI) - the region‘s unique partnership of house-builders, housing associations, housing professions, and employers - the event is aimed at discussing with council chiefs and elected members how new homes can be provided in their areas.

SWHI action over the past five years has succeeded in identifying the region‘s dire need for new homes – especially affordable homes.

According to Richard Kitson, Chairman of the SWHI: “This region has one of the UK‘s biggest affordability-gaps between average house prices and average earnings, and one of the biggest gaps between demand for homes and delivery of those homes.

“But this region also has some of the country‘s best examples of how those new homes can be delivered”, said Mr Kitson.

Mr Kitson, former CEO of one of the region‘s biggest housing associations, accepts that “NIMBY” resistance to development is one of the biggest barriers to new housing development.

“We understand this factor, and we have many ‘best-practice‘ examples of how high-quality design and planning are delivering new affordable homes that boost local communities and economies”, said Mr Kitson.

“At the Summit, we need to think about how we persuade South West residents of the pressing need to provide affordable homes for key workers – in both public and private sectors – if we are to have sustainable and vibrant communities. Otherwise, there is a real danger that teachers, nurses, tradesmen, and many company employees might ‘migrate‘ to other regions

“That would have a serious impact on this region‘s economy and the lifestyle of its residents”, he warned.

Robert Napier, Chairman of the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) and the South West Regional Director, Colin Molton, will highlight the role which the HCA will play in helping address housing and regeneration challenges faced by the region over coming years.

END 24th November 2009

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Martin Willey, SWHI Co-ordinator: 07836-315896
• Richard Kitson, SWHI Chairman: 07889-755639
• David Sturgess, Sturgess Van Damme: 01275-349011 or 07768-078656

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