Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has become the first area in England to sign a groundbreaking Place Delivery Agreement with Homes England and the National Housing Bank, marking a significant step forward in delivering new homes, regeneration projects and economic growth across the region.
The new agreement establishes a closer partnership between the Liverpool City Region, Homes England and its subsidiary, the National Housing Bank, bringing together investment, expertise and delivery capability to accelerate housing development and unlock major regeneration opportunities.
The PDA is the first of its kind to be signed in England and represents a major shift in how national agencies will work with mayoral authorities. Rather than focusing purely on collaboration, the new model is designed around co-delivery, giving local leaders greater influence over housing and regeneration priorities.
The agreement forms part of the Government's wider devolution agenda, strengthening local decision-making and ensuring investment is aligned with regional growth ambitions.
Place Delivery Agreements are intended to become the primary mechanism through which Homes England works with Mayoral Strategic Authorities across England.
Under the new approach, dedicated Joint Delivery Units will be created, bringing together teams from Homes England, the National Housing Bank and local authorities. These units will focus on shared objectives, strengthened accountability and faster delivery of housing and regeneration projects.
Alongside support for mayoral authorities, Homes England will continue working with partners in non-mayoral areas to ensure communities across England can access investment, expertise and development support.
The Liverpool City Region PDA is structured around three key priorities designed to support long-term growth and housing delivery:
1. Transformative Growth
The partnership will support major regeneration schemes including the Liverpool North Docks Mayoral Development Corporation and the Central Station Gateway project. Both schemes are expected to play a crucial role in reshaping the city region and attracting new investment.
2. Strengthening the Housing Pipeline
Partners will work together to maintain and expand the region's housing pipeline, supporting the delivery of more social housing, affordable homes and council housing across the city region.
3. Removing Delivery Barriers
The agreement also focuses on tackling challenges that can slow development, including skills shortages, capacity constraints, industrialised construction issues and the need for more effective place-based investment strategies.
A dedicated Joint Delivery Unit will now be established, bringing together officers from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England and the National Housing Bank.
The unit will be responsible for turning strategic ambitions into deliverable projects, helping to accelerate regeneration schemes and housing developments across the region.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:
“I’m delighted that Liverpool City Region is the first place in the country to sign a Place Delivery Agreement with Homes England and the National Housing Bank.
“This gives us a real opportunity to get more council and social homes built, get stalled schemes moving and make sure investment is focused where it can make the biggest difference.
“We’ve got huge ambitions for housing and regeneration across our city region, from the North Docks and Central Station Gateway to projects right across our boroughs. This agreement means we can work with Homes England and the National Housing Bank as one team to get on and deliver them.
“For me, this is what devolution should be about - giving places more control and then getting on with the job.”
The agreement is expected to serve as a blueprint for future partnerships between Homes England and mayoral authorities across the country, reinforcing the role of local leadership in delivering housing, regeneration and economic growth.
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