<b></b><p></p><p><b><b>After three years&amp;’ work, The Housing Forum was to be wound up in March. But construction minister Brian Wilson has extended its life until 2004. Forum chairman Sir Michael Pickard looks at the achievements which prompted this decision and focuses on its future plans</b></b><br><b>Three years gone - two more granted to help us inspire radical change within the housing industry.</b><br><b>The Housing Forum initiative was driven by two major factors within the industry - firstly, continuing shortage of skilled labour with no apparent improvements anticipated in the future and, secondly, a realisation that to improve standards of new housing without more skilled labour requires new construction initiatives including offsite fabrication.</b><br><b><b>Achievements</b></b><br> The Housing Forum has established itself as the only housing organisation whose 190 strong membership spans all sectors of housing construction. This has had a major impact on the industry, providing the opportunity for cross sector learning and networking at all levels amongst those organisations and individuals who are leading the movement for change. Recently, at the instigation of the Housing Forum, a high level meeting was arranged between speculative housebuilders and the Housing Corporation, a major client.</p><p>The board of the Housing Forum was carefully selected to include senior representatives from …