LGA announce successful applicants for housing programme

The Local Government Association (LGA) has named the 17 successful applicants for its 2020/21 housing advisers’ programme.

The programme aims to help councils overcome housing challenges in their local areas, address the impact of COVID-19 on the housing crisis and meet the housing needs of local communities.

In the previous three years of the programme, the LGA has funded more than 100 projects across England, helping councils build homes, reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, plan for ageing populations, explore the potential of zero carbon housing, understand the student housing market, increase supply of modular housing and more.

This year’s successful applicants are: Isle of Wight Council; Sunderland City Council; Wokingham Borough Council; West of England Combined Authority; Oxford City Council; Hertsmere Borough Council; Castle Point Borough Council; South Gloucestershire Council; Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames; King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council; Hertfordshire County Council, as lead partner of the Hertfordshire Property Partnership (HPP); Cornwall Council; Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Mid Devon District Council; Bristol City Council; Council of the Isles of Scilly.

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has awarded up to £20,000 to each project for the purpose of securing expert advice to drive forward locally-led solutions to housing challenges.

‘The housing advisers programme (HAP) is an important part of the LGA’s sector-led improvement offer, working in partnership with central government to empower councils to meet their local challenges,’ said LGA housing spokesman, Cllr David Renard.

‘HAP has delivered huge benefits to councils since it was first launched, helping local areas address the challenges of the housing crisis.

‘It has proven an excellent source of knowledge and expertise for councils, sharing innovative ideas and ways to improve whether it’s building new homes, tackling homelessness or planning thriving and flourishing places and economies.’

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