Welcome to the West Midlands Voluntary & Community Sector Housing Network.
We hope you will find all the information you require from this site including our latest resources and briefings, details of our current work and links to our network members. The network meets about once every two months and is open to any voluntary or community organisation in the West Midlands, concerned with housing issues. Please use the email form if you'd like to get in touch or join the network.Why is the regional agenda important?
The government is placing increasing importance on decision-making at a regional level. Regional decisions have already helped to shape the funding priorities across the region and how money is spent at a local level. This all impacts on the services we deliver.Where regional agencies and your local authority spend their money and also what they will spend it on, is influenced by the new Regional Housing Strategy for the West Midlands, the Sub-Regional frameworks and other regional strategies such as Planning, Transport and Economic.
The West Midlands Voluntary & Community Sector Housing Network
Established in 2001, the Housing Network has over 75 members and has achieved a number of successes in terms of influencing the regional housing agenda. All reports, briefings etc. published by the Network can be found in the Resources section.The Housing Network is a network of voluntary and community groups who have an interest in housing. We aim to bring the voluntary & community sector perspective to regional initiatives and influence the regional organisations and key regional strategies. The Housing Network has a place on the Regional Housing Partnership and on other relevant networks such as the Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Network and the Rural Housing Network.
We are reviewing how it can be best linked in with networks being established by, for example, the Regional Assembly. It is important that voluntary and community sector groups, with an interest in housing, have a say on the priorities for funding and help shape the development of these strategies.
Latest News
Housing Network Conference
One Day Conference"Lets Shout About It"
Promoting the Voice of the sector in Housing and Sustainable communities.
October 6th 10am until 3.30pm
At Baskerville House, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B1 2ND
Last Network meeting minutes 30th March 2008
The minutes are at Network_minutes_310308.docMinutes of the last Executive meeting
The last meeting was on 31st March 2008. Executive_Committee_31.3.08_Mangement_Report.docWest Midlands Economic Strategy Delivery Framework: Consultation draft (3.308)
This framework focuses on delivering the Regional Economic Strategy 'Connecting to Success' and looks at how different partners, including the third sector, can contribute to the delivery of the strategies priorities and objectives. There are clear links between housing, economic growth and regeneration. The Network has submitted a consultation response to the draft framework. To see a copy of our submission WMES_Delivery_Consultation_response_form_tcm9-9545.docNetwork Meetings for 2008
Network members are encouraged to attend the meetings on the following dates.31st March (pm)
8th July (pm)
7th October (AGM)
Local Area Agreements - Performance Indicators (9.2.2008)
The Network has written to the Government Office of the West Midlands requesting that consideration is given to making two national performance indicators relatied to supporting people services mandatory for all LAAs in the region. To view the letter click hereRegional Spatial Strategy Phase 3 Revision: Housing and Rural Services - Make your Views Count (December 2007)
The Draft Project Plan for the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Phase Three Revision was formally launched on the 27th November 2007. The Draft Project Plan explains how the Assembly proposes to carry out this phase of the revision it will cover a number of topics but those of particular interest for Housing Network Members are:
1. Rural services: To identify and prioritise the services that are critical to the sustainability of rural communities, and to identify mechanisms for promoting their provision;
2. Housing: To identify the number of pitches required for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople;
The Draft Project Plan is out for public consultation between 27th November 2007 and 18th January 2008. The Draft Project Plan and a summary leaflet can be seen on our website at . www.wmra.gov.uk/rssphase3
The Housing Network intends to submit a response If you have any comments you would like us to take on board or would like to be involved in drafting the submission please contact Lynne Beigthon on 01902 424564 or via email
info@housingnetwork.org.uk
Network response to Housing Green Paper: 'Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable'
The Network has recently submitted a consultation response to the Green paper click to read... Housing_Green_Paper_final_Response.pdf
West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy - Phase Two Revision (July 2007)
A consultation event which members of the Network attended was held on 26.7.07. Housing is a key issue in the phase two revision, the revision will cover the total number of homes required along withthe number of affordable homes needed in the region. The Network submitted a response to the initial consultation exercise which is included here .....Submitted_Response_WMSS_Revision_Phase_Two.pdf | Click for more...
Consultation on the West Midlands Draft Regional Health and Well-Being Strategy (July 2007).
The Network submitted a draft consultation response to this important draft stratgey which can be downloaded here
Final_Health_and_well-being_consultation_response.pdf
| next page |
