Neighbourhood Revitalisation Service, Morecambe

The Housing Action Area (HAA) was centred around the Lancaster Road area of Morecambe, and included Lancaster Road, Rosebery Avenue, Buxton Street, and Croft Street, amongst others. It is assumed that all of the photographs date between 1988 and 1991.

The Neighbourhood Revitalisation Service (NRS) was a pilot housing advice agency, funded by the Department of the Environment. The funding was managed by the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), a representative organisation for the building trade. Local authorities were encouraged to enter into a partnership with NRS and identify an area of owner occupied housing which was in need of external repair. The areas were known as Housing Action Areas (HAA), and the properties needed to fit specific criteria with regard to age and condition.

Government funding was made available to the local authorities, who co-ordinated, managed and controlled the building work. Individual householders 'signed up' to agree to work being undertaken on their properties in the same way that people were able to apply for home improvement grants. The main difference was that all properties in an area had to be improved to standards determined by the local authority, and materials and designs were carefully selected and controlled to retain a consistent appearance. Environmental improvements were also undertaken as part of the overall scheme, this included landscaping, and rebuilding of boundary walls.

The NRS project office was located within the HAA, and provided a link between the building trade, the local authority and the local community.

Housing advice on a wide range of home improvement issues was available to anyone, free of charge, and other improvement projects were encouraged, and help given, although this was not always of a financial nature. Local people were encouraged to become involved and take an interest in the improvement of their community.

The project was funded for three years, and statistical information was provided for researchers from Bristol University (School of Advanced Urban Studies), who evaluated the information and produced reports for the Department of the Environment. Twenty five NRS projects were established in England between 1988 and 1991. They were compared in the research with Care and Repair projects, which were similar in principle, but specialised in 'staying put' initiatives for elderly people. This latter model was deemed the preferred way forward for agency services, and NRS projects ceased operation on 31 March 1991.

Some local authorities built on the original concept, and retained a housing advice service for the private sector which they funded from other sources. Accrington and Maryport (Cumbria) were two examples in the North West. Other house renovation projects have been undertaken subsequently in various parts of the country. Care and Repair projects still continue in many areas.

The above information was kindly provided by Ms Woolgar.