The Accent Group Partnership 2006-2008 received Housing Corporation grant in the region of £44m, to develop 1072 new or refurbished homes for rent and new build homebuy, with a capital cost of £118m.

The principle of establishing three regional delivery partnerships was the basis of the pre-qualification submission, and was accepted by the Housing Corporation. Each partnership is structured to respond to the individual requirements of local communities, partners and external stakeholders.

All partners are committed to providing high quality, cost efficient homes within urban and rural local communities.

The regional delivery partnerships are aligned to Department for Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), regions. This enables the development strategies of each partner to be directly linked to the regional housing, economic and spatial strategies.

The partnership covers seven of the Housing Corporation's regions, giving Accent links to a national network of development partners, with access to Housing Corporation funds in each of the areas.

Because of the regional nature of our partnerships, other partners can be added, allowing greater access to development opportunities and greater scope for driving in efficiencies within the development process.

For 2006 - 2008, three regional delivery partnerships were established: Firebird JVC, Northern Lights Group and Nene Housing Society (Accent Nene).

Firebird JVC covers the Yorkshire and Humberside region and is a full joint venture company with five members: Accent Foundation, Maningham Housing Association, Bradford Community Housing Trust, Leeds Federated Housing Association and Unity Housing Association.

Northern Lights Group operates in the North West, North East, East and West Midlands, and South Yorkshire. Members of the group are Accent Foundation, St. Vincents, Muir, Equity, Arawak Walton, Arcon and 'Johnnie' Johnson.

Accent Nene operates in the East region.

In future, the partnership will enhance further in the South, with the joining of Accent Peerless and the continuing development of the Group's strategic alliance with Network Housing Group in London.

Together the partnership can deliver a larger scale development programme, while achieving greater efficiencies and economies through joint procurement.