GMCA one of 14 successful applicants for LGA Housing Advisers Programme

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which represents all 10 local authorities in the region, is one of 14 successful applicants for a national scheme to help councils overcome housing challenges in their local areas and meet the housing needs of communities.

Led by the Local Government Association, the Housing Advisers Programme is designed to support councils by funding the provision of independent expertise for councils undertaking specific projects to tackle the effects of the housing crisis in their local communities.

In the previous two years of the programme, the LGA has funded more than 100 councils across a diverse range of projects, including home-building, reducing homelessness, planning for ageing populations, increasing supply of modular housing and many more.

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has awarded up to £50,000 to each project for the purpose of securing expert advice to drive forward locally-led solutions to housing challenges.

The projects include developing carbon-neutral homes, redesigning homelessness services, delivering custom and self-build housing, and addressing the housing skills gap.

Following the programme, knowledge and expertise learnt and developed will be shared with other councils and become part of the LGA’s sector-led improvement offer.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, LGA housing spokesperson, said: “We are delighted to announce the successful applicants of the latest round of the Housing Advisers Programme.

“The Housing Advisers Programme is an important part of the LGA’s sector-led improvement offer, and has delivered huge benefits to councils since it was first launched, helping local areas address the challenges of the housing crisis.

“It has proven an excellent source of knowledge and expertise for councils, sharing innovative ideas and ways to improve whether it’s building new homes, tackling homelessness or planning thriving and flourishing places and economies.”

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been contacted for comment.