Devolution in action: putting housing at the heart of the North East’s Future

Devolution is changing the way decisions are made across the country, bringing more of those decisions closer to the people and communities they affect.

With the Devolution Bill now an Act of Parliament, and a new government committed to shifting power closer to communities, regions across the country are adapting to a new reality. Here in the North East, we’ve been preparing for this moment for several years. Through the North East Housing Partnership (NEHP), housing providers have come together around a simple ambition: to make sure housing has a strong voice in the region and plays its full part in delivering the homes, communities and opportunities the North East needs and helping people thrive.

Getting ahead of the game

The NEHP was established in 2023 following the announcement of the North East Devolution Deal. At a time when many organisations were still considering what devolution might mean for them, housing providers across the North East came together with a shared ambition: to ensure housing was represented, heard and ready to contribute.   

Importantly, we did not wait for the North East Combined Authority, now the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, to be fully established to begin our work. Instead, we moved quickly to build relationships, agree priorities and develop a prospectus that set out a clear vision for housing across the region. 

Having that prospectus in place before the mayoral election made a real difference. It enabled housing partners to engage directly with candidates, shape conversations and ensure housing was firmly on the regional political agenda from day one.  

Building trust, delivering results

The NEHP focused early on strengthening housing pipelines, identifying opportunities for collaboration and building relationships with regional leaders. It also made the case for housing as a driver of economic growth and healthier communities. Strong leadership across the region, particularly from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness since 2024, has helped support a constructive partnership with a shared ambition to deliver more for people and places across the North East. 

Refreshing our vision for a new era

As devolution has matured, so too has the NEHP. Earlier this year, we refreshed the Partnership prospectus to reflect changing political and policy priorities across the region. The updated prospectus strengthens governance and accountability, realigns workstreams with mayoral and regional priorities, and introduces new sub-groups to support delivery. We have also strengthened our relationship with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through regular reporting and engagement, reinforcing our ambition to be the region’s trusted housing partner.

Ready for the next chapter of devolution

The arrival of a new Prime Minister brings fresh opportunities.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to deepen devolution, including in areas where powers have already been devolved, together with greater regional autonomy and additional housing powers for strategic authorities, presents a significant opportunity for places prepared to take advantage of it. The North East is well placed to do exactly that.

As one of the first areas to secure an integrated settlement and one of the earliest regions to establish a housing partnership, the North East has consistently demonstrated leadership and what can be achieved when organisations come together around a shared purpose. Initiatives such as the Mayor's Delivery Unit with Homes England support our determination to turn ambition into action and ensure housing remains central to regional growth.

Building on our success

Devolution is not an event. It is a journey. As that journey continues and the agenda evolves, the North East Housing Partnership will continue to adapt, collaborate and lead. Our mission remains clear: to ensure housing is at the heart of regional decision-making and that regional leaders have access to the housing insight, expertise and delivery capacity they need to achieve their goals.