Committed to community investment

23 September 2019

Chief Executive, HACT

Looking through the Great Places Commission’s recommendations made for heartening reading. While half focus on actions the Government should take, the other five relate to the key role housing associations play in making great places. These include committing to cross-sector partnerships, proactively engaging with local authorities and embedding wider community benefit requirements in their procurement strategies.

Cornerstone's approach to regeneration - Mount Dinham project

2 September 2019

Chief Executive at Cornerstone Housing

Established in the 1860s, by the early years of this century the Mount Dinham Cottage Trust recognised that the resources needed to address essential repairs, let alone bring its ageing properties up to modern standards, far exceeded its funds. A solution was required that would prevent the cottages from being sold to a private developer and lost to the affordable sector.

Great Places Commission – a taste of what’s to come in our final recommendations

22 May 2019

Dave Procter, Chair of Together Housing Group and a Great Places Commissioner

Regeneration is back! “Never gone away,” I hear you cry, and of course you are right. Areas in need of investment, help, support, services, hope, and a host of other ingredients have always existed, even when the powers that be decided they had better ideas to deliver ‘turnaround’.

Great Places Commission – post-visit reflections

11 April 2019

It’s been over a year since we launched the first phase of the Great Places programme, and the Great Places Commission has been on an incredible journey, both in understanding the issues facing our communities and in visiting places around the country.

The Commissioners have seen places in desperate need of regeneration and others where housing associations, local authorities, businesses and communities are working together to drive incredible change in their local area.

Investing in housing is not enough – we need to invest in people and places too

27 February 2019

Bishop of Manchester, Chair of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, and Great Places Commissioner

Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, tells us why good neighbourhoods don't just need housing but require investments in people and places too to be able to thrive.

Making a difference in Coventry – the Marmot approach

4 February 2019

Sue Frossell and Caroline Ryder work for the People Directorate at Coventry City Council. In this blog they share how Marmot changes Coventry and the amazing regeneration the area has seen.

Regeneration for real - Castle Vale, West Midlands

30 January 2019

Ifor talks us through Pioneer's successes so far and plans for future regeneration in their local area

As our Great Places Commission continues to travel across the North and Midlands, we visited Castle Vale to hear about the area’s transformation and the role of community leadership, including the Neighbourhood Partnership Board, in driving and sustaining improvements.

Take community engagement seriously to create great places

17 December 2018

Sonia Thompson, Board Member at Tuntum Housing and Great Places Commissioner

Sonia Thompson, Board Member at Tuntum Housing Association and a Great Places Commissioner, explains why community engagement is essential for creating great places, and offers practical advice on how to do it.

Our commitment to the North must go beyond economy and transport

14 December 2018

Executive Director of Growth and Place, Middlesbrough Council

Kevin Parkes is Executive Director of Growth and Place at Middlesbrough Council. He spoke to our Great Places Commission about the need to address challenges around poor quality housing and inequality in parts of the North and beyond.

People make places – but places make people too

7 November 2018

Research Officer, National Housing Federation

Gerald Koessl, Research Officer at the National Housing Federation, introduces new research that explores the links between deprivation and the social fabric of places.

A community isn’t built with bricks and mortar

5 November 2018

Chief Executive of County Durham Housing Group

Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of County Durham Housing Group, spoke to our Great Places Commission about the transformation of Seaham from former mining town to thriving community.

Can you see through the eyes of a child?

18 October 2018

Helen Forman is Senior Design Officer at Leeds City Council and a Board Member of Connect Housing.

Designing for children could be key to creating inclusive, accessible and successful places, writes Helen Forman, Senior Design Officer at Leeds City Council and Board Member, Connect Housing.

Do places really exist?

1 October 2018

Nick Yandle is a Policy Leader at the National Housing Federation

The physical aspects of a place are just the foundation, explains the National Housing Federation’s Nick Yandle.

Making Hull a great place to live

11 September 2018

Emma Hardy is the Labour MP for Hull West and Hessle

There are probably lots of things you’ve heard about Hull. But have you heard what a great place it is to live? Emma Hardy MP explains why.

It’s our duty as local businesses to inspire the next generation

13 August 2018

David Williams is Chairman of Geldards LLP and Chair of the Derby Renaissance Board

David Williams, Chairman of Geldards LLP and Chair of the Derby Renaissance Board, spoke to our Great Places Commission in Derby about the need to attract and retain young talent. Here, he proposes a practical example of how local businesses can play their role.

Build homes not units

30 July 2018

Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Nick Murphy spoke to our Great Places Commission on its recent visit to Nottingham about why we need to focus on quality, not just quantity, when it comes to building new homes.

Great Places Commission – seeking a better future for left-behind communities

16 July 2018

Sinéad Butters is Group Chief Executive of Aspire Housing, Chair of PlaceShapers and a Great Places Commissioner

Some areas need much more than housing to help them prosper, and housing associations can help. Great Places Commissioner Sinéad Butters explains why this work is so important.

Taking a brave approach is key to creating thriving communities

27 June 2018

Kevin Rodgers is Chief Executive of WM Housing and a Great Places Commissioner

Proud to be Coventry born and bred, I think it’s fair to say my hometown’s recent run of success (or luck, depending on your outlook) puts it right up there in terms of greatness.