Surf Open Forum 30 th March 2006 “People and Place” Regeneration Policy Statement The Role for Housing Associations Jacqui Watt Chief Executive Scottish Federation of Housing Associations “People and Place” Regeneration Policy Statement The Role for Housing Associations Jacqui Watt Chief Executive Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Summary “Regeneration is about transforming places for the better. It is about growing the economy, and tackling poverty and disadvantage and about creating mixed and sustainable communities” We are involved in all of those, and increasingly in the (social) economy. “Regeneration is about transforming places for the better. It is about growing the economy, and tackling poverty and disadvantage and about creating mixed and sustainable communities” We are involved in all of those, and increasingly in the (social) economy.

The Priorities Working in Partnership – public and private Focussed Efforts on small no. of Geographic communities Catalyst for Private Sector activity and investment Joined up approach Targeted Action in most deprived communities Land and Property Issues Create mixed and vibrant Communities Working in Partnership – public and private Focussed Efforts on small no. of Geographic communities Catalyst for Private Sector activity and investment Joined up approach Targeted Action in most deprived communities Land and Property Issues Create mixed and vibrant Communities

Where are Housing Associations Involved Bringing together Private and Public Sector Players/Catalyst for Private Sector activity and investment. Housing Associations have involved Private Investment since £2.2bn private investment in Scottish Communities SFHA lobbying on Infrastructure issues with Scottish Water, Planning Issues has helped highlight and then change policy Look at some of the most deprived areas of Scotland, who was there at the start of the Regeneration process? Inner Cities, peripheral estates, rural…Once areas started to improve, who followed? Bringing together Private and Public Sector Players/Catalyst for Private Sector activity and investment. Housing Associations have involved Private Investment since £2.2bn private investment in Scottish Communities SFHA lobbying on Infrastructure issues with Scottish Water, Planning Issues has helped highlight and then change policy Look at some of the most deprived areas of Scotland, who was there at the start of the Regeneration process? Inner Cities, peripheral estates, rural…Once areas started to improve, who followed?

Housing Association Involvement Joined Up Approach Housing Alone does not work. 250,000 houses across Scotland, yes, but also major agents of change in communities. Community Involvement - 2,100 voluntary committee members, 1/3 of them tenants 123 housing associations spending £8m Wider Role Funding this year – a vast range of projects, from community centres, business units to services for the elderly, recycling, financial exclusion. Not just housing, but increasingly Community Regeneration Organisations Joined Up Approach Housing Alone does not work. 250,000 houses across Scotland, yes, but also major agents of change in communities. Community Involvement - 2,100 voluntary committee members, 1/3 of them tenants 123 housing associations spending £8m Wider Role Funding this year – a vast range of projects, from community centres, business units to services for the elderly, recycling, financial exclusion. Not just housing, but increasingly Community Regeneration Organisations

Housing Association Involvement Targeted Action to Regenerate Most Deprived Neighbourhoods Already there! Inner cities since the 1970s, Peripheral Estates since the 1990s. 62% of tenants on full or partial Housing Benefit, 4,700 lets to homeless people (out of 29,000.) Targeted Action to Regenerate Most Deprived Neighbourhoods Already there! Inner cities since the 1970s, Peripheral Estates since the 1990s. 62% of tenants on full or partial Housing Benefit, 4,700 lets to homeless people (out of 29,000.)

Housing Association Involvement Land and Property Issues Very Welcome changes Biggest Problem is land acquisition and servicing, dealing with contaminated land 72% of housing associations report land availability as being major constraint to development, 62% due to cost, 38% due to planning Some Land Banking Some use of disposed assets, Health Board, MoD, Forestry Commission Land and Property Issues Very Welcome changes Biggest Problem is land acquisition and servicing, dealing with contaminated land 72% of housing associations report land availability as being major constraint to development, 62% due to cost, 38% due to planning Some Land Banking Some use of disposed assets, Health Board, MoD, Forestry Commission

Housing Association Involvement Creating Mixed Communities This what we do! Housing for Rent for those in need Housing for sale Low cost Home Ownership – Shared Ownership; Shared Equity (Homestake) Partnerships with Private Developers Creating Mixed Communities This what we do! Housing for Rent for those in need Housing for sale Low cost Home Ownership – Shared Ownership; Shared Equity (Homestake) Partnerships with Private Developers

A Couple of Specifics 1. Is there enough about Community Involvement? For Housing Associations, this is part of the culture – Committee Members, tenant organisations, support organisations for training and advice on governance, even legal requirements for consultation 1. Is there enough about Community Involvement? For Housing Associations, this is part of the culture – Committee Members, tenant organisations, support organisations for training and advice on governance, even legal requirements for consultation

A Couple of Specifics 2. What of These Urban Regeneration Companies? Three in existence – Raploch Stirling; Clydebank; Craigmillar, Edinburgh. But they are still pilots…So why are there more being planned without evaluation? 2. What of These Urban Regeneration Companies? Three in existence – Raploch Stirling; Clydebank; Craigmillar, Edinburgh. But they are still pilots…So why are there more being planned without evaluation?

To Conclude Housing Associations are at the heart of the policies cited in the Regeneration Statement, as shown from the examples. Look forward to working with members and other agencies in delivery. Housing Associations are at the heart of the policies cited in the Regeneration Statement, as shown from the examples. Look forward to working with members and other agencies in delivery.