The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has welcomed its role in managing the allocation of up to £30 million of funding to help resolve the worst problems of blight and dereliction in the five most challenged Housing Market Renewal (HMR) areas.

The Agency will shortly issue bidding guidance to local authorities in Merseyside, East Lancashire, North Staffordshire, Hull and Teesside, in order for them to bring forward proposals for transition schemes where HMR projects have stalled. Local authorities will be expected to match any HCA funding through their own resources and the use of incentives such as the New Homes Bonus.

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Richard Hill, Deputy Chief Executive at the HCA, said: "I welcome the announcement which with match funding by local authorities equates to £60m to help people trapped in the worst conditions where Housing Market Renewal projects have stalled.

"Through our close existing relationship with local authorities in the HMR areas the HCA is well placed to allocate this funding quickly, through a robust process that will ensure value for money. We will also maximise the impact of the available funding, by adding value through our enabling support and expertise, helping to remove the blight of dereliction in vulnerable communities."

(CD/KMcA)