We asked the Department how it is prioritising locations for funding. It told us its Ministers want to see a balanced portfolio across the country. It explained that it works with 10 Strategic Place Partnerships (SPPs) which are linked to Mayoral Strategic Authorities to help bring projects forward that the area needs most.48 It uses agreed measures with the Established Mayoral Strategic Authority to ensure it delivers in line with the NHDF’s priorities.49 We asked about places not part of a SSP and the Department told us it looks at relevance and readiness to deliver.50 It emphasised that when deciding whether to invest in an area it considers housing affordability and densification as criteria.51