Elevate brought a Government housing boss to Pennine Lancashire today (18 January 2008) to make a strong case for continued funding for housing market renewal and show him the progress already made.

Junior Housing Minister Iain Wright saw for himself some of the achievements and opportunities in Burnley, Pendle and Hyndburn.

Elevate has received £167 million in Government funding and so far has:

·        Refurbished 2,852 homes

·        Demolished 1,178 empty or unfit properties to make way for new housing

·        Improved services to 38,000 homes through Neighbourhood Management

·        Provided environmental improvements which have benefited 23,600 homes.

Additionally 750 new homes have been built by the private sector, while over the next decade more than 4,000 new homes will be built for sale or rent.

During his visit the Minister saw new housing in Burnley Wood andAccrington, refurbished houses in Nelson and new parks, then he met with Elevate’s management team to discuss future plans.

The housing market renewal pathfinder has bid for a further £156 million over the next three years in order to continue changing people’s lives for the better in Blackburn with Darwen,Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

Photo caption: Ian Wright is shown development plans for Hyndburn by (left to right)Accrington resident Joan Pilkington, Hyndburn Council Managing Director David Welsby, and Elevate Chief Executive Max Steinberg.