A new regional partnership has been launched with the ambition of transforming how affordable homes are delivered across Tees Valley.
The new initiative is bringing together housing associations, local authorities and public bodies under a shared commitment to collaboration rather than competition.
The Tees Valley Housing Partnership formally launched this week, setting out a collective approach to tackling one of the region’s most persistent challenges: the shortage of high-quality, genuinely affordable homes. The partnership recognises that demand is rising faster than supply, and that meeting local housing need at scale will require organisations to pool expertise, land opportunities and delivery capacity.
At its core, the partnership is built on a simple premise: that by working together, housing providers can achieve more than they can alone. Members will coordinate development plans, share data and best practice, and present a stronger, unified voice when engaging with government, funders and strategic partners.
The partnership is supported by Thirteen Group and includes several of the region’s major housing providers alongside the five Tees Valley local authorities. Collectively, these organisations manage tens of thousands of homes across Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington, giving the partnership both reach and practical delivery experience.
Leaders involved in the launch were clear that the initiative is not about branding or bureaucracy, but about removing barriers that slow down development. By aligning investment plans and sharing early intelligence around land availability, infrastructure constraints and planning challenges, the partnership aims to speed up delivery while ensuring new homes are built in the right places, to the right standards.
Affordable housing in Tees Valley is under increasing pressure. Population change, rising construction costs and economic uncertainty have made development more complex, while many residents face affordability issues in the private rented sector and long waiting lists for social housing. The partnership intends to respond to these realities with a long-term, place-based approach rather than short-term fixes.
There is also a strong emphasis on quality. Partners have committed to delivering homes that are energy efficient, future-proofed and designed around real community needs. This includes a focus on sustainability, accessibility and mixed-tenure developments that support balanced neighbourhoods rather than isolated pockets of housing.
The partnership will also play a role in skills and employment. By coordinating development pipelines, housing providers hope to create more stable opportunities for local contractors, apprentices and supply chains, keeping investment within the regional economy and supporting job creation alongside housing delivery.
Importantly, the initiative aligns with the wider ambitions of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and its regeneration agenda, ensuring that housing growth supports broader goals around inclusive growth, health and wellbeing, and town centre renewal. By speaking with one voice, the partnership strengthens the region’s ability to secure funding and influence national policy decisions that affect local delivery.
While the launch marks an important milestone, those involved have been careful to stress that success will be measured by outcomes rather than statements. The true test will be whether the partnership leads to more homes being built, faster delivery times and better experiences for residents who need affordable housing the most.
For communities across Tees Valley, the partnership offers cautious optimism. At a time when housing pressures are felt acutely by families, young people and older residents alike, a collaborative approach could prove to be a significant step towards meeting local need and shaping a more secure housing future for the region.
