The PlaceShapers Group has a unique mix of strengths that could help solve the nation’s housing crisis and stimulate economic growth, a conference has heard.

The group recently held its fifth annual conference, which was attended by 120 housing chiefs representing PlaceShapers’ 77 community-based housing associations.

The event followed what had already been a high-profile start for the sector after the Chartered Institute of Housing, National Housing Federation and Shelter launched their Joint report into the government’s failings in tackling the housing crisis.

Grainia Long, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, chaired a panel debate with Professors, Richard Scase from the University of Kent, Ian Cole, from Sheffield Hallam University and David Mullins from the University of Birmingham.

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The debate looked at the global, national and sector trends and painted a rather gloomy picture for the housing association leaders.

However, speaker Duncan Fraser of The Mindful Leadership Foundation highlighted the difference that strong leadership could make within the sector. He said: “We cannot predict the future but we can create the right mix of skills and resilience to deal with whatever the future might hold.”

Keynote speaker and crossbench peer, Lord Richard Best, added: “The engine of growth is the construction industry and it will be housing that drives it and brings us out of recession.

“It is the size and scale of PlaceShapers’ organisations that makes you fit for this operation. Your local roots, skills and understanding make you ideal partners for local authorities and housebuilders to feel comfortable with for the long term.

“You are the people we are all waiting for.”

(CD/GK)