The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has exceeded its end of year housing targets, despite the economic downturn and challenging operating conditions

Reflecting a strong year of delivery, the top line figures, show that the Agency far exceeded its key outputs for 2009-10, completing a total of 64,811 housing starts on site against a target of 53,315, and 56,118 housing completions in England against a target of 52,325 in the financial year ending 31 March 2010.

Over half of the housing starts were in London, the South East and the South West and over half of the housing completions in London, the South East and the East.

These figures further demonstrate what we believe has been a successful first year.

This is an excellent result, considering the extremely fragile market, and illustrates how we are making a significant impact in areas facing the greatest challenges in maintaining a supply of affordable housing.

I am especially pleased with the progress made on Kickstart and LANB, which show how we as an Agency were able to respond swiftly to challenges presented by the economic downturn.

This is, however, no time for complacency.

Looking to the year ahead, whatever the outcome of the June Budget, it is clear that with less public funding available to support housing, we will need to focus our efforts where they have most impact at local level and drive value for money in key areas such as affordable housing.

We will certainly be no less committed to making sure we not only continue to hit targets, but, in this new era of localism, also continue to support our partners in achieving our shared ambition for creating high quality places.

Sir Bob Kerslake is chief executive of the HCA