Enhanced Support for Home Building

Local councils are to receive enhanced support when it comes to building houses, after Homes England cut the ribbon on its Local Government Capacity Centre.

As part of the initiative, Homes England is inviting officers to take part in a Summer Learning Programme, which will see knowledge sharing on a wide range of topics including effective project management and principles of market failure.

The Capacity Centre was conceived as Homes England looked to structure itself to work more productively with local government and help meet the Government’s ambition of creating 300,000 homes a year by 2024.

Now, following extensive research and consultation on where the sector most needs support, the centre will begin to offer a range of tools and initiatives to boost skills and help authorities with their end-to-end development plans.

Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England, said: “Effective partnerships are essential if we are to build the homes the country needs, so it is vital that we offer accessible tools, skills, funding and people.

“I’d like to thank our local government colleagues for their input as we’ve developed the capacity centre. I’m confident it marks a real step forward – so please join us on the Summer Learning programme where we can build deeper and more fruitful partnerships.”

As part of the centre’s work, Homes England is making it easier for local government to access relevant information, including:

• streamlining access to resources online
• offering a one-stop shop of information about funds available to help deliver more homes
• creating a library of guidance and best practice tools on GOV.UK

Housing Minister Rt Hon Chris Pincher MP said: “Local government is crucial in creating the homes and places people need and Homes England has a central role to play in supporting their capacity and skills development. I look forward to seeing how the new centre supports local government in delivering the homes this country needs.”

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