Housing associations are key partners in the levelling up agenda, Lisa Nandy MP heard on a visit to Halifax. Lisa, who is the Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, visited the Beech Hill development in Halifax on Friday 27th May. During her visit she saw the latest progress on the £16.5 million regeneration scheme, before meeting with Together Housing to hear about their wider work.
Joined by Together Housing Group chair Dave Procter, Executive Director for Property George Paterson and directors Janette Pearce and Nic McGrath, The Shadow Minister toured the development site with Holly Lynch MP, local resident representative and Calderdale Councillors and Officerd.
Lisa heard from Together Housing about the social impact of housing and visited one of the properties finding out more about what constitutes affordable housing.
George Paterson, Executive Director of Property at Together Housing, said: “It’s important that politicians from all parties understand the importance of social housing so it was great for the Shadow Minister to see and hear what we do.
“Together Housing is building 106 new homes for affordable rent at Beech Hill and many more across Calderdale as part of the Calderdale Together Housing Investment Partnership, but that work is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Social housing creates new local jobs, invests in raising aspirations in the community and supports people to become financially self-sufficient. If we’re looking at levelling up the playing-field, Together Housing in partnership with the local council are key in making sure Calderdale remains a great place to live.”
During her visit she heard about how the partnership between Together Housing, the Council, and Esh Construction works closely in consultation with the local community. The development is part of the Calderdale Together Housing Investment Partnership (CTHIP). The partnership between Together Housing Group and Calderdale Council was established to jointly deliver up to 650 affordable homes across Calderdale over five years from 2018-23.
Esh Construction’s Operations Director, Simon Woodward said “The new build homes at Beech Hill are key in the redevelopment of the area and we are delighted to be playing our part. By working with Esh as a local contractor to deliver this scheme provides economic benefits and opportunities for the area through our ethos of procuring a local supply chain and employing a local workforce – an important factor in the levelling up agenda.”
The Shadow Minister spent time discussing the levelling up agenda, including the UK Prosperity Fund at a local level and how the transition from European Social Funding into UK funding environment will take place. She spent time discussing the current support available for tenants and the key role of social housing in supporting residents. She further heard about how Together Housing’s charitable arm, Newground Together, supports residents, including how they fund community activities and the support they provided during lockdown and