Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

2
1 Foreword
I am very pleased to introduce the Regional Housing Strategy for the East of England 2005-2010.
This new strategy is a significant step up from the previous version for 2003-2006, rising to the
challenges of housing growth set out in the draft East of England Plan.
This strategy is published at an exciting time for the regional housing agenda. The Government
has demonstrated its commitment to delivery of affordable housing in the East of England with an
allocation to the Single Regional Housing Pot of £431 million for 2006-08. It now falls to all the
partners involved in the implementation of the Regional Housing Strategy to ensure that these
public funds are used wisely: to help deliver decent homes to meet the needs of everyone in the
East of England in a sustainable manner.
Alongside an increase in public expenditure in the next two years are anticipated changes in the
regional governance structures for housing. The functions and responsibilities of the Regional
Housing Board are expected to transfer to the East of England Regional Assembly, so creating a
closer alignment between regional housing and planning functions. Indeed it will now be EERA's
responsibility to co-ordinate the delivery of the strategy and to monitor its progress.
A great number of organisations have been involved in the development of the Strategy. Through
early consultations with the sub-regions, a series of widely attended consultation events in
November and December and then a period of more formal consultation over February, March and
April 2005, a large number of individuals and organisations have contributed to the document.
Input from the 9 housing sub-regions has been especially important. Each of the sub-regions has
their own housing strategy, and they will continue to play an essential role in implementation of
this strategy, turning regional policy into action at a local level.
On behalf of EERA I would also like to give a special thanks to the Regional Housing Forum who
have steered the development of the strategy since discussions first began in spring 2004, and to
Jane Smith consultant to the Forum for her tremendous efforts in bringing everything together.
The period up to 2010 will see the region grappling with the issues of increased housing supply
and balancing this with issues of housing quality, environment, community cohesion and social
inclusion. I am confident that the Regional Housing Strategy sets out a sound policy framework
that will guide decision making and help EERA and its partners to rise to the many challenges
ahead.
Cllr Simon Woodbridge
Chair
EERA Housing and Sustainable Communities Panel