A new Manifesto for housing from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) North East calls for a greater emphasis on transformation of the region’s existing housing stock and more support for elderly and deprived residents.

The document reveals that in the North East one third of residents - the largest percentage of any English region - live in the most deprived areas in the country.  The region is also predicted to have the highest growth in households aged 65 or over by 2026 and has the highest percentage of households in fuel poverty – 11.5 per cent – of any region in England.

The Manifesto was launched at the CIH’s annual conference in the North East on 13 November and sets out a range of ambitious and far reaching proposals including calling for a Regional Forum that will give a unified voice to the region and allow a single conversation to take place on housing and regeneration.

Gavin Brown, Chair of CIH North East said: “Our Manifesto is a shared vision for the region and emphasises the opportunities for housing to contribute to the overall prosperity of the North East.  We urge housing professionals and organisations to work with CIH and with the new housing and regeneration body, the Homes and Communities Agency and the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority to improve the choice, quality and sustainability of housing in the North East.”

*ENDS*

News release issued on behalf of the CIH by Jill Dwyer, CIH Press Office, Octavia House, Westwood Way, Coventry CV4 8JP. Telephone: 02476 851780. Email: press@cih.org).

Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the professional body for people involved in housing and communities. We are a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. We have a diverse and growing membership of over 21,000 – both in the public and private sectors – living and working in over 20 countries on five continents across the world. Our members work for local authorities, housing associations, Arms Length Management Organisations, Government bodies, educational establishments and the private sector. Many tenants and residents are also members. We exist to maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the wellbeing of communities. Further information is available at: www.cih.org

2. A Shared Vision – CIH NE Manifesto for Housing can be downloaded from www.cih.org/branches/ne/policy