New HMR Scheme in Rochdale to Benefit 3,000 Families

Over 3,000 families in Rochdale have enjoyed improvements to their home as a result of a government scheme that aims to revive the housing market.

Various home improvement measures were included as part of the scheme, including new double glazing in windows, wall insulation and the fitting of more energy efficient boilers.

The programme is known as Housing Market Renewal (HMR). It has, so far, spent £184 million on the Rochdale scheme. One of the main aims was to make houses more eco-friendly, which is why measures like double glazing were seen as crucial to improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

The project for Rochdale/ Oldham started in 2004. However, the HMR scheme itself was setup in 2002 to help tackle the failure of the housing market after prices were collapsing. HMR works with areas that have become less popular places to live.

Ian Austin, Housing Minister, said that ‘a range of imaginative regeneration projects have already taken place’ helping to revive neglected areas. The houses were modernised through a wide range of measures, including double glazing as well as refurbishing garden areas – making the homes more comfortable places to live.

Since the scheme started, there have been more than 3,000 refurbished homes, as well as 323 new builds. 800 properties have been demolished.

Ministers state that the scheme has made significant progress, though work still remains to be done.