The Housing and the Regions network has been in existence since 2006. There has been a lull in our activity, owing to other research commitments. But given the continuing housing supply crisis in the UK, and the recent change of government, with its radically different view on how this crisis will be resolved, we believe that the time is now right to examine some of the big agendas that the government has set out, centred around its ‘localism’ agenda, which is partly about empowering communities, and partly about localising power though the elimination of regional structures. We propose to hold two events – one in London and one in Manchester: the first will focus on localism and communities. The second will look at regional planning and what will replace it if the court challenges to Pickles’ revocation of regional strategies fail and it is ultimately consigned to the coalition government’s legislative bonfire.