WIREDGOV

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is creating a panel of 400 senior housing and regeneration professionals to provide expert insights into pressing industry issues.

Chief executives, directors and heads of service from the public, private and third sectors are being invited to take part in a series of quarterly online surveys that will explore current issues like meeting affordable housing targets, delivering low carbon homes in difficult economic times and measuring the success of the HCA's Single Conversation business process.  

Following the appointment of panel members over the next few weeks, the first survey will focus on the impact the recession has had on the housing and regeneration industry. The survey will ask the panel about:

• economic recovery indicators
• tactics employed to maintain momentum
• success of new delivery and finance models
• impact on sustainable growth and renewal
• emerging leadership styles and qualities.

It will also explore regional variations and identify how each area is coping with the effects of the recession and what more is needed to support recovery.

Each survey will include a series of benchmark questions about the recession to help track the perceived degree of recovery over the next 12 months. 

Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA, said:

'Last year was about maintaining momentum and kickstarting stalled housing and regeneration projects. This year, we will build on the progress made, increasing housing supply and delivering affordable homes and sustainable regeneration. We will help existing places thrive and create mixed, well-served communities by ensuring there are employment and skills opportunities for local people, supporting the Empty Homes campaign and tackling climate change through design and sustainability.  

'But we can only achieve this by sharing knowledge and market intelligence. The place-making panel will provide us with an expert sounding board so we can ensure all our programmes will ultimately create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places.'

Ends

If you would like to become a panel member then please contact Jo Bell: jo.bell@hca.gsx.gov.uk  / 0113 3949410

Notes to editors:

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England.  Our role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. We provide funding for affordable housing, bring land back into productive use and improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment.