Leading figures in the world of affordable housing from Europe, North America and New Zealand will share lessons and visions for the future at a major event in London tomorrow.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the regeneration consultancy theplaceteam have brought together some of the most influential policy makers and practitioners from three continents to examine robust solutions to the crisis in affordable housing in the midst of the current global economic downturn.

Director of Housing Strategy Support at Communities and Local Government, Terrie Alafat, will be joined by Derek Ballantyne, Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Housing Company, Sharon Chisholm, former Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, Blair Badcock, Chief Policy Advisor for Housing New Zealand Corporation, Vincent Gruis, Professor of Housing Management at Delft University and Michelle Norris, Director at the Institute of Public Administration in the Republic of Ireland amongst other leading academics and practitioners.

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Julie Cowans, Director of theplaceteam, will introduce her new book which examines international responses to the provision of social housing. Visions for Social Housing: International Perspectives, co-authored with Professor Duncan McLennan of the University of St Andrews, concludes that past social housing policies must be replaced with a modernised vision that delivers better choice and access for tenants, better social outcomes and the creation of communities of opportunity.

Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, who is also speaking at the event, said : "We can learn a great deal from practitioners and policy makers in other parts of the world, and CIH is delighted to bring so many of these experts together to debate the future of affordable housing. CIH is committed to creating a global housing community that offers opportunities for us all to learn from each other and to improve our policy and practice for the benefits of residents now and in the future."

(CD/JM)