A second poll released by the HCA Academy, the skills and expertise arm of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), has found a significant increase in the number of housing and regeneration professionals admitting to mounting concern about the recession.

The poll found that four in ten organisations feel they are suffering as a result of the recession, an increase of 30% since the initial poll was conducted in October 2008. 70% of organisations remain concerned about the impact the recession will have on their business.

Gill Taylor, HCA Academy Chief Executive said: "It's not surprising that there has been a marked change in perceptions across the housing and regeneration sector during the last five months.

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"The initial poll was carried out before the recession really took hold. Since then, we've witnessed housing and regeneration projects coming to a standstill, redundancies being announced and business models being radically adapted so it's understandable that feelings of optimism and confidence are ebbing away. However, it's encouraging to see that skills, knowledge and training remain high on the agenda and that professionals understand the important role that local authorities and greater partnership working can play in helping us navigate our way through the recession."

The polls conducted in October 2008 and March 2009 involved senior figures from councils, housing associations, house builders, professional bodies, skills councils and regeneration agencies.

They were designed to monitor the impact the economic downturn is having on the housing and regeneration sector and how this might affect future ambitions for communities across the country.

(CD/BMcC)