A new Manifesto for housing from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) North East calls for a greater emphasis on transformation of the region's existing housing stock and more support for elderly and deprived residents.

The document reveals that in the North East one third of residents - the largest percentage of any English region - live in the most deprived areas in the country. The region is also predicted to have the highest growth in households aged 65 or over by 2026 and has the highest percentage of households in fuel poverty.

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The Manifesto was launched at the CIH's annual conference in the North East on 13 November and sets out a range of ambitious and far reaching proposals including calling for a Regional Forum that will give a unified voice to the region and allow a single conversation to take place on housing and regeneration.

Gavin Brown, Chair of CIH North East said: "Our Manifesto is a shared vision for the region and emphasises the opportunities for housing to contribute to the overall prosperity of the North East. We urge housing professionals and organisations to work with CIH and with the new housing and regeneration body, the Homes and Communities Agency and the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority to improve the choice, quality and sustainability of housing in the North East."

(CD/KMcA)