Following the recommendations set out in the Barker Review of Housing Supply, the Government responded in 2005 with a programme of extensive stakeholder consultation as it sought to establish a comprehensive reform agenda to promote affordable housing, yet balance this growth against commitments on tackling climate change. The resulting Housing Green Paper – Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable was published in July 2007.

As part of its stated pledge to build sustainable communities, the Government unveiled the Housing and Regeneration Bill in November, as it pushed forward many of the key proposals outlined in the Green Paper

• Build 3 million greener, more affordable new homes by 2020
• Establish a new Homes and Communities Agency
• Remove barriers to local councils building their own social housing
• Establish new watchdog, Oftenant, to protect social tenants' rights
• Overhaul the planning system to steamline application processes

With the Bill currently proceeding through the parliamentary process, this special session, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, will offer a timely opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the implications for the key proposals, as well as consider other aspects of the Bill, such freeing the top Housing Associations from 'red tape' to encourage housebuilding and new rules for councils to tackle anti-social tenants.

The Government's plan seeks to overhaul existing infrastructure and with the promise of major investment in regeneration, delegates will debate how local authorities, housing associations, developers and local communities alike can join with Government to create a new partnership that will work together to realise the vision of decent, affordable, carbon-neutral homes for all.

Housing Corporation Speaker

Peter Dixon, Chair

To Book

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