In a keynote speech to the National Housing Federation South East annual conference in Basingstoke, he said:
"I'll be asking you to take decisive steps in providing a lead on sustainable development; responding to the challenging affordable housing targets and continuing to contribute to community development and particularly skills."
Citing examples of sustainable growth such at the Swaythling Housing Society's Chapel development in Southampton, which won the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment Building for Life Award, and Testway Housing's zero energy homes at Hockney Green in Andover, which achieved the Eco Homes Excellent rating, the Minister issued his first challenge to Housing Associations.
He said:
"My challenge is for you to continue this lead and to seek to influence the commercial developers to come forward with their own response to the technology advances that are increasingly featured in your homes."
The Minister also spoke about the importance of improving the skills base in the region.
"Something I feel personally very strongly about is the importance of improving the skills base in the region. There is an acknowledged shortage of building skills in the country that we in the South East feel acutely, especially at times of major construction projects,” he said.
"The Registered Social Landlord sector has the opportunity to exert influence over the way in which services, products and capital investment are provided. ... my challenge is that every time you sign a contract, or commission a new initiative, you undertake to support at least one person from this region to learn or develop a new skill."
"My challenge considers the energy and commitment that characterises the sector and wonders what more housing associations might do to foster mature communities - communities that lift up the most disadvantaged, overcome worklessness and promote mobility.”
He added:
"We need new partnerships, we need communities, and we need private enterprise to seek fresh answers to these deep rooted questions. Housing Associations have the experience and energy to provide leadership in many of these new solutions."
