WIREDGOV

Ten areas testing new ways to revitalise housing markets are continuing to make good progress, despite the recession.

The Audit Commission has assessed each of the pathfinder partnerships involved in the Housing Market Renewal programme. The Commission assessed five partnerships as performing strongly (the 'top mark') and five as performing well.

In a year that has seen significant challenges, all pathfinders have maintained overall performance levels. And three have improved areas of their work:

• Urban Living Birmingham and Sandwell made good progress in its work on community cohesion.
• Bridging Newcastle Gateshead has improved its approach to efficiency and effectiveness.
• New Heartlands Merseyside has moved from 'performing well' to 'performing strongly'.

Roy Irwin, Director of Housing at the Audit Commission, said:

'Our assessments show that even in difficult economic times, the Housing Market Renewal pathfinders are playing an important role in efforts to improve existing homes and provide new homes while supporting communities.

'However, while all must be given credit for maintaining or improving overall performance in a difficult year, issues around value for money remain for some pathfinders, but these are being addressed.'

The Audit Commission assesses the Housing Market Renewal pathfinder programme for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

HCA Chairman Robert Napier, said:

'We welcome publication of today's Audit Commission reports on Housing Pathfinders. The reports demonstrate what we already know; that the ten pathfinders which make up the Housing Market Renewal Programme are delivering, despite the severity of the current economic climate. The Housing Market Renewal programme makes a vital contribution to the growth, sustainability and continuing economic development of some of the North and Midlands' most deprived areas.'

The Audit Commission assesses partnerships on how well they are meeting priorities. These include the number of new and affordable homes, the promotion of cohesive and sustainable communities and their contribution towards creating attractive, prosperous and safe places for communities to thrive in.

The Audit Commission also looks at progress in making improvements that have been identified to help the pathfinder improve its performance and make things better for local people.

Notes for editors

The links below are to the individual reports.

The ten pathfinders and their 2009/10 assessments are:

• Bridging Newcastle Gateshead - performing strongly
• RENEW North Staffordshire - performing strongly
• NewHeartlands Merseyside - performing strongly
• Manchester Salford - performing strongly
• Oldham and Rochdale Partners in Action - performing strongly
• Gateway Hull and East Riding - performing well
• Transform South Yorkshire - performing well
• Urban Living Birmingham and Sandwell - performing well
• Elevate East Lancashire - performing well
• Tees Valley Living - performing well

Housing Market Renewal was set up in 2002/03 as a programme to rebuild housing markets and communities in parts of the North and the Midlands where demand for housing was weak and where there had been a significant decline in population, dereliction, poor services and poor social conditions as a result.

For more information call the Audit Commission Press Office on 020 7166 2128.

The Audit Commission

• The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
• Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
• As a force for improvement, we work with others to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.