Local authorities’ ability to deliver against national housing targets is still not being leveraged to its full potential. Redistributing financial burdensAs those most in touch with local priorities and challenges, local authorities should also be given the autonomy to prioritise community needs in housing development. One way to do this would be to embed a co-investment model into the national planning policy framework. Nearly 90% of Key Cities leaders say the shortage of affordable and social housing in their area is “critical” or “extremely critical”. Michael Mordey (Lab), deputy chair, Key Cities; leader, Sunderland City Council