‘Unique partnership’ agreed by Greater Manchester leaders

Greater Manchester’s leaders have agreed a unique new partnership that will help many more people to live in good health - by providing good quality homes that meet their needs.

The Better Homes, Better Neighbourhoods, Better Health ‘Tripartite Agreement’ between Greater Manchester Housing Providers, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and Greater Manchester Combined Authority is believed to be the first time in England that housing, health and local government have agreed to work together in this way to achieve these long term objectives.

The collaboration builds on existing successful joint housing and health projects, such as A Bed Every Night and Housing First, which both work to provide accommodation for people who sleep rough; as well as work to support mental health patients out of hospital to move into their own home, where they have been supported with their health needs, as well as being provided with help to sustain their tenancies and develop independence.

The leaders have now agreed to work together to plan new housing and communities that enhance health by providing the right physical, social and green infrastructure, and by ensuring people can access health, social care, work, education and training. They will also build 50,000 truly affordable homes by 2037, of which 30,000 would be for social rent, and ensuring they are available to the residents who would most benefit from them.

This is in addition to retaining schemes such as A Bed Every Night, Social Impact Bond and Housing First.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We have shown in Greater Manchester that we can support people with the most complex housing and health needs into safe, secure and supported accommodation. We have done that because we work in partnership across the housing, health and local government sectors, and because we have received fantastic support from voluntary, community and faith organisations.

“We don’t simply provide a flat or a house, we also provide the support that allows people to overcome or manage mental health and physical health difficulties. Now we want to go much further – to provide homes that much better meet the needs of people with a range of physical or health difficulties and to ensure our homes and neighbourhoods are healthy places to live for everyone.”

Jon Lord, chair of Greater Manchester Housing Providers, said: “It is important to all the Greater Manchester Housing Providers to have strong partnerships in place with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure the current and future needs of our residents and communities are always kept as a priority. This agreement is the first of its kind, and recognises the commitment to that goal.”