In a significant move to tackle the pressing need for affordable and sustainable housing in West Yorkshire, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has announced a pioneering partnership with the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England. The collaboration aims to accelerate the delivery of thousands of homes, including affordable housing, throughout all five districts of the region.
The official signing of the agreement is scheduled to take place today (Tuesday 16 May) at the prestigious UKREiiF conference in Leeds, where global investors and developers converge. The signing ceremony will conclude a panel session involving key partners, providing an opportunity to discuss the transformative potential of affordable and sustainable housing in West Yorkshire.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Mayor Tracy Brabin remarked, “I’m thrilled to have secured this fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with Homes England, which will propel us forward in our mission to achieve high-quality, truly affordable housing growth in West Yorkshire. We have ambitious plans to create and foster vibrant communities, catering to the needs of our ever-growing population, while addressing the region’s historical underinvestment. This partnership will enable us to build upon the progress we’ve made so far and bring essential resources directly to West Yorkshire, ensuring a better quality of life for all residents.”
Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, emphasised the excellent working relationship between his agency and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. He stated, “This Strategic Place Partnership agreement builds upon our strong foundation and aims to help the Mayor in delivering her housing and regeneration priorities. Our objective is to create thriving new and revitalised areas that meet the aspirations of the people of West Yorkshire. As the national Housing and Regeneration Agency, we are fully committed to utilising all our capital, expertise, land, powers, and relationships to support the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s endeavour to enhance place-based growth, prosperity, and pride of place.”
The partnership has identified 15 projects that will serve as focal points for regeneration, facilitating the development of exceptional places and homes for the people of West Yorkshire. The Combined Authority successfully secured this collaboration through an investment of £3.2 million from its housing revenue fund, which enabled the establishment of a credible project pipeline, made possible through the devolution deal.
This Strategic Place Partnership agreement marks Homes England’s third such partnership, following the successful pilots in Greater Manchester and South Essex. It highlights the agency’s commitment to leveraging its resources and expertise to drive sustainable and inclusive growth across the country. With this new partnership, West Yorkshire is poised to witness a significant boost in affordable and sustainable housing, catering to the pressing needs of its residents and fostering a brighter future for the region.
