An expert group will lead efforts to respond to the impacts of the economic recession on house building.

The Housing Supply Task Force has now reconvened with a new remit and new members representing the interests of the private rented sector, financial services and the consumer.

It will address the implications of the economic downturn on the housing market, championing new ideas and innovative solutions to help house building recover once market conditions improve.

Housing Minister Alex Neil said: "Scotland's housing market is negotiating uncharted waters as the economic downturn continues to put strain on companies and households throughout the country.

"With a new remit and strengthened membership, the Housing Supply Task Force will provide an invaluable boost to our efforts to respond and develop new ideas to help increase housing supply across all tenures."

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Mr Neil said he was "heartened" by the enthusiasm and commitment of members making efforts to help develop workable solutions the housing challenges.

The revised Housing Supply Task Force met on Monday March 16, chaired by the Minister for Housing and Communities. Discussion focused on the reform of the planning system and the issue of infrastructure investment.

The Housing Supply Task Force membership includes representatives from CoSLA, Homes for Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Shelter, Miller Group and the Council of Mortgage Lenders. In addition, the revised grouping now includes representatives from the Scottish Property Federation, Scottish Financial Enterprise and Consumer Focus Scotland.

The remit of the revised grouping is: "To build on the work undertaken by the Housing Supply Task Force to prepare for a recovery in house-building; strengthen relationships between key stakeholders; act as a cross-sector forum for consideration of the implications for all the housing supply systems of the economic downturn; and champion new ideas and innovative solutions to support the delivery and funding of increased housing supply across all tenures."

The Task Force will meet every two months throughout 2009.

(GK/JM)