Partnership cements Mayor’s pledge to boost homes in West Yorkshire

16 May 2023

A ground-breaking new partnership will cement the commitment made by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to build more affordable and sustainable homes for people across the region.

The Government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, has partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to boost the delivery of thousands more homes, including affordable homes, throughout all five districts of West Yorkshire.

The agreement will be officially signed today (Tuesday 16 May) at UKREiiF, a major conference in Leeds that brings together global investors and developers. The signing will conclude a panel session with key partners, who will discuss the opportunities for transformational growth and the value of affordable and sustainable housing in West Yorkshire.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: 

“I’m thrilled to have secured this fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with Homes England, which will take us forward in our journey towards achieving good quality and truly affordable housing growth in West Yorkshire.

“We have ambitious plans to create and grow vibrant communities and support an ever-growing population, addressing decades of underinvestment in the region.

“The partnership will allow us to build on the progress made so far, and bring vital resources directly to West Yorkshire, ensuring a better quality of life for people throughout the region.”

Chief Executive of Homes England, Peter Denton said:

“We enjoy a fantastic working relationship with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This Strategic Place Partnership agreement builds on this, helping the Mayor to deliver her housing and regeneration priorities and create thriving new and renewed places that the people of West Yorkshire seek.

“As the national Housing and Regeneration Agency, we are committed to bringing all of our capital, expertise, land, powers and relationships in support of WYCA’s desire to boost place-based growth, prosperity and pride of place.”

15 projects have been identified through the partnership, which will be the focus for regeneration, developing great places and homes for the people of West Yorkshire.

The Combined Authority was able to secure the partnership through investment of its £3.2 million housing revenue fund to build a credible project pipeline, secured through the devolution deal.

It is Homes England’s third Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) to be signed, following the successful pilots in Greater Manchester and South Essex.