GMCA and Homes England agree new partnership to deliver new homes

Greater Manchester will pilot a new Strategic Place Partnership model for housing following an agreement between Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The new model for partnership working will bring together the government housing agency and local authorities in Greater Manchester to deliver a shared business plan for building new homes. Greater Manchester, alongside a partnership of district councils in Essex, was chosen for the pilot scheme as a result of its ambitious proposals for housing and strong pipeline of opportunity already in the offing.

The Strategic Place Partnership will focus on delivery of housing in growth locations, affordable homes and town centre regeneration across the city-region.

Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

“This new model of partnership is our way of responding to the most ambitious places where there is significant opportunity and a need to partner more closely. Greater Manchester is a mature, well established partner, with huge ambition and the ability to deliver. Together, we can pool our resources to support place-based growth and regeneration, including the supply of well-designed new homes.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“This partnership will give a major boost to the work we’re already doing across Greater Manchester to address the national housing crisis.

“Right now we have to be creating homes and infrastructure that are fit for a better future, and our ambition is to deliver 30,000 good quality, truly affordable net zero carbon homes by 2038. This means unlocking brownfield land for regeneration, and ensuring that development supports sustainable growth throughout the city-region. With the expertise, capacity, and funding tools at their disposal, and working alongside the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and local council teams, Homes England has a vital role to play in this collective effort.”

The new Strategic Place Partnership will deliver new homes in line with the government’s wider Levelling Up aims with a ‘place first’ approach to regeneration that is responsive to the differing needs of communities across Greater Manchester.