A workshop was recently held to set out ambitious aspirations to improve housing options for people across the Bath and North East Somerset area.
Attendees at the recent housing workshop | Photo © Curo
Organised by Curo, the Bath-based housing association and house builder, alongside B&NES Council, the workshop brought together more than 30 participants from across the housing sector.
Representatives from local planning authorities, regional authorities, registered providers, housebuilders and designers, including guest speaker, Wayne Hemingway MBE, founder of Red or Dead and Hemingway Design, came together for the session, which aimed to develop solutions for the ongoing housing crisis in the region.
Victor da Cunha, chief executive of Curo and chair of the B&NES Housing Mission Board, emphasised the urgent need for innovative and collaborative thinking.
He said: “We are at a critical juncture in addressing the housing crisis in Bath and North East Somerset. We aren’t going to solve this crisis in one government term; it will take at least 10 years.
“This workshop is a vital step towards harnessing the collective expertise and resources from right across industry and the local community to create innovative solutions that truly meet the needs of our communities.”
Councillor Matt McCabe, B&NES cabinet member for built environment, housing and sustainable development, said: “If we are to tackle the housing crisis that our area faces – whether that is long waiting lists for social homes or the high cost of housing compared to local wages – we will have to work in partnership.
“So, it was great to see such a wide range of different organisations come together to kick off our new Housing Delivery Mission Board.
“There’s a lot of work to be done – and we need to influence government policy too – but this was a great start.
“The council is committed to playing its part, whether that’s through the Local Plan or through delivery of new homes by our council-owned housing company, but it’s crucial that we get the foundations right if we are to deliver a sustainable economy and a fairer community.
“This will be a long-term plan and I would like to thank everyone who took part. I look forward to our next steps in making sure we have the right homes in the right places.”
The workshop focused on developing a shared vision and strategic approaches to address the housing crisis, with participants actively discussing organisational development and collaborative efforts.
Victor added: “We all know that the current housing system is broken, and something must be done to solve the local housing crisis.
“I am really pleased to be involved in harnessing the ideas, both short and long term, that will help build the quality, sustainable, affordable homes we need, both now and into the future.
“Today’s initial workshop has begun to build those, and I am excited to see how we can translate this momentum into real change for our region; change which local people will support and promote.”
