The new Homes and Communities Agency has been officially launched as the single housing and regeneration agency for England, holding an annual budget of more than £5 billion. The Agency brings together the operations of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation under one body, headed by chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake who said: “The current economic climate means the creation of the HCA couldn’t have come at a more important time. The need for more housing, especially affordable homes, as well as continued regeneration and development, is as pressing as ever. Working in partnership with the public and private sectors, we will implement practical, flexible solutions that will help sustain development activity and ensure that we are well prepared to take advantage of the upturn when this comes.” <br>