Demolition, Relocation and Affordable Rehousing Lessons from the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders Ian Cole and John Flint

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The demolition of properties and subsequent relocation of residents are amongst the most visible and emotive elements of housing market renewal programmes. In particular the designation of clearance areas, the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders, and the levels of compensation provided to owner-occupiers affected by the process have been the subject of high profile political and media debates and raise a number of challenges for local communities and housing and regeneration practitioners and policy-makers.

This report identifies the key issues relating to housing clearance, demolition, compensation packages and relocation. Based on research in the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder areas, it provides an assessment of how residents are being supported at all stages of the process and provides good practice principles and examples.

This report is an essential resource for community representatives and housing and regeneration practitioners, as well as policy-makers at national, regional and local levels who are involved in housing market renewal.

Published for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by the Chartered Institute of Housing

ISBN: 1-905018-37-1 / 978-1-905018-37-6   Order no: 240   Published: January 2007

Contents

1. The policy context for the study
   • Introduction
   • The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders programme
   • Clearance and relocation
   • The affordability issue
   • The research approach
   • Structure of the report
2. Key issues in clearance and relocation
   • Introduction
   • The role of clearance and relocation in Housing Market Renewal
   • The importance of home and neighbourhood
   • Community voices: protest or empowerment?
   • The role of the media
   • Phasing
   • The difficulty of meeting housing needs and aspirations
   • The impact on owner-occupiers
3. Supporting residents through the relocation process
   • Introduction
   • Designation clearance areas and Compulsory Purchase Orders
   • The valuation process
   • Identifying vulnerable households
   • Support and advice before and during relocation
   • Support and advice after relocation
4. Financial assistance packages
   • Introduction
   • Existing statutory compensation packages
   • Relocation grants
   • Relocation equity loans
   • Other mechanisms for financial assistance
   • Emerging issues and challenges
5. Building on experience: key messages for policy and practice
   • Introduction
   • Clearance, demolition and relocation within the context of housing market renewal
   • Messages for residents affected by clearance and relocation
   • Messages for Pathfinders, councils and registered social landlords
   • Messages for the media and campaigning organisations
   • Messages for financial institutions and housing developers
   • Messages for central government