Housing: North West

Helen Southworth
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to increase access to affordable housing in (a) Warrington and (b) the North West.

Mr. Iain Wright
The Joint Economic Commission for the North West is looking at actions to ensure that affordable housing continues to be delivered during the economic downturn. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has made £526 million available between 2008 and 2011 to support authorities across the North West. In Warrington, the HCA has already allocated nearly £13 million to deliver 318 homes. This is in addition to a range of other proposals being considered by Warrington borough council, the HCA and local housing associations.