The £33.3million boost to build 1,085 homes was unanimously backed by the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Cabinet Members.
A spokesperson said: “The Brownfield Housing Fund supports remediation and enabling works to unlock residential developments which might otherwise stall or remain undeveloped. The Combined Authority will be publishing a prospectus and issuing an Open Call for sites, inviting applicants to complete an expression of interest form.”
Previous rounds of the Brownfield Housing Fund provided more than 1,500 homes across 11 sites, including backing homes on Hartlepool Waterfront by developer Jomast.
Cllr Graham Harrison, TVCA Cabinet Member for Energy Infrastructure and Housing and leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, added: “This is welcome funding that will make a real difference. By helping bring challenging sites forward, we’re creating opportunities for new homes, new neighbourhoods and further investment in our towns.
“We all know there is strong demand for quality housing across our region and this funding will help ensure developments can move ahead where they might otherwise struggle to get off the ground. It’s good news for Hartlepool and every part of the Tees Valley as we continue working together to support growth and give local people more choice over where they live.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Having a decent home gives families security, helps people put down roots and creates the foundations for our people to build their lives here. This fund makes the most of brownfield land across Hartlepool, Teesside and Darlington to create the homes people need, while protecting our green spaces.”
He added: “These are real developments that will help us meet demand and support jobs in construction. We’ve already seen what this funding can deliver and we will help unlock even more sites to get more high-quality homes built across our region.”
The Combined Authority has worked closely with Homes England and Local Authorities on agreeing where new homes will go.
The approval aligns with the vision set out in the recently agreed Local Growth Plan for our region – which aims to ensure housing is built and sites are regenerated in the next decade.
Support for the fund comes via the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
A business case featuring a more detailed plan for the housing will come to Leaders for approval later this year.
