The report identifies the key issues relating to clearance, demolition and relocation activities, and their impacts on different households and neighbourhoods.

It evaluates the range of support mechanisms provided to residents affected by clearance, demolition and relocation. The focus is on financial support packages offered to owner-occupiers to overcome the affordability gap between the sums of compensation and the cost of purchasing an alternative home.

The report provides examples of best practice and makes recommendations to practitioners and policy-makers.

The HMRP was launched in February 2003 as part of ‘Sustainable Communities: building for the future’ – a programme to tackle acute areas of low demand housing and abandonment in the North and Midlands by renewing failing housing markets.

The HMRP programme aims to restructure local housing markets and help remove imbalances between supply and demand. The programme involves clearance and demolition strategies, with properties being acquired voluntarily or through the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders. Where occupied homes are designated for clearance residents may be offered a range of rehousing options.

The research included:

In seven of the Pathfinders a significant affordability gap exists between the statutory compensation packages people receive for their existing property and the cost of buying a new home elsewhere.

Other lessons from the HMRP programme are emerging particularly regarding the impact of the emotive and controversial processes on residents.

Pathfinders and partner agencies need to respond sensitively and appropriately to residents’ needs and involve communities in decision-making. There is also a need for tailored financial support packages.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Homestead, 40 Water End
YO30 6WP York, North Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Phone: +441904 629241
info@jrf.org.uk

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01/01/2007

Ian Cole; John Flint

research

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Housing market