Since September 2006, the South West Regional Assembly has responsibility for the Regional Housing Policy. The Regional Assembly incorporates the Regional Housing Advisory Group that brings together partners across the South West from the following organisations:
- Homes & Communities Agency
- Government Office for the South West
- South West Regional Assembly
- South West Regional Development Agency
- National Housing Federation
- Home Builders Federation
- Local Government Association
Work of the Regional Housing Advisory Group is supported by the Regional Housing Working Group where there is a focus on delivery of the regional Housing Objectives. Members of the Regional Housing Group also chair the Delivery Work Streams that concentrate on delivery in specific areas of the Regional Housing Strategy.
The Regional Housing Forum enables the assembly to engage with a wider group of housing specialists including representatives from:
- local authorities
- registered social landlords
- house builders
- tenants
- business
- other public and voluntary agencies and community groups.
The forum is an invaluable resource in consulting on regional policy development.
Achievements of the Regional Housing Body (predecessor of the regional Housing Group) include publishing the revised Regional Housing Strategy 2005-16 which sets out three strategic aims and a number of actions to take these forward. The strategic aims are:
- Improving the balance of housing markets in the region to tackle issues of housing affordability, homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation
- Improving the environmental quality and design of new developments and improving the quality of existing homes
- Supporting sustainable communities ensuring housing policies promote social inclusion, and mixed and balanced communities.
The Regional Housing Strategy 2005-16, along with related documents, can be downloaded from the link below.
Delivery phase of the RHS 2005-16
The next phase of work of the SWHB includes the establishment five Delivery Workstreams to take forward actions in the RHS. These workstreams are developing work programmes, research activities and events to take forward actions in the RHS. Updates on progress are shared at Housing Forum meetings, and other stakeholder meetings. The Delivery Workstreams are:
1. increasing housing supply - led by the South West Regional Development Agency and South West Regional Assembly
2. homelessness - led by the Homes & Communities Agency
3. vulnerable groups - led by the Homes & Communities Agency
4. improving the use and quality of existing housing stock - led by GOSW
5. sustainable development - led by Homes & Communities Agency.
