Housing Market Renewal triumph

The Housing Market Renewal programmes in Oldham and Rochdale have been deemed a triumph by homelessness charity Shelter.

The scheme is successfully turning neighbourhoods around and making clear improvements to disadvantaged communities, the independent housing and homelessness charity said.

£154 million has been invested in the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders scheme since 2004.

The Oldham and Rochdale Pathfinder has welcomed the positive verdict on the work it is supporting in both boroughs.

Pathfinder Director Alastair Graham said: “We are very pleased that such a well respected organisation as Shelter has recognised how important HMR’s work is in turning around the neighbourhoods we are working in across Oldham and Rochdale. 

“In neighbourhoods across both boroughs we are building high quality new homes, and improving the condition of hundreds more, making a big difference to local communities and the homes that people are living in. And hundreds of local people have benefited from jobs and training. 

“We have further developed a variety of effective methods to engage with residents throughout the local communities, ensuring that residents have a strong voice around the changes taking place where they live.” 

Alastair Graham also welcomed Shelter’s call for continued funding for Housing Market Renewal beyond 2011. He continued: “In the face of the recession we are working hard to assemble and remediate sites, so as the construction sector recovers we will be in pole position to build the new homes that local people need.” 

The Shelter report also focused on Oldham and Rochdale’s innovative labour into construction project, J21, which is funded by Housing Market Renewal. It noted that in the past four years more than 800 people have found jobs and training through the programme, and local suppliers and contractors are helped to compete effectively for work.