THE North West has been shortlisted for a share of up to £135m of a £1 billion pot of government funding earmarked to unlock stalled housing schemes across the country.
Following an initial bidding process in May, a total of 54 schemes in the region were shortlisted by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) – more than any other region in the country.
These schemes are now being considered in detail for “Kickstart” funding through the HCA, which will speed up the delivery of new and affordable homes, maintaining momentum in housing supply during the current economic downturn.
Deborah McLaughlin, regional director for the HCA, welcomed the Kickstart shortlist, saying: “I was delighted by the strength of the bids that came in from partners across the North West.
“The announcement of so many shortlisted bids is fantastic news, if successful we will make sure that this investment will quickly start to deliver vitally needed new homes and jobs across the region”
North West regional minister Phil Woolas said: “This is a great boost for the home building industry in our region and for the many families here looking for affordable homes. I am determined to make sure that all of the money we are investing in meeting our housing pledges announced in Building Britain’s Future has the maximum possible impact in creating jobs and places that fully prepare us for the recovery. The North West has got the lion’s share of this allocation. That reflects well on the region’s organisations pulling together and being ahead of the game ”
The shortlisted schemes are promoted by a range of developers – including national and local house builders and RSLs – across the region’s 46 local authority areas.
Having already made an initial assessment of each bid’s quality and fit with local priorities, a due diligence process will now address the HCA’s requirements around good design, value for money, financial viability and risk, as well as an assessment of quick delivery, before confirming if it will support each scheme.
Successful schemes under this first round of Kickstart funding will be announced on a rolling basis from August onwards. A second Kickstart bidding round will be launched in September.
THE North West has been shortlisted for a share of up to £135m of a £1
billion pot of government funding earmarked to unlock stalled housing
schemes across the country.
Region to share in £135m bonanza
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
