<p>The Homes and Communities Agency will support a drive to boost the private rented sector according to chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake. He told the conference: “It (the sector) gives choice. We need a model where someone can rent now and buy later.” Sir Bob said that the HCA would play “a catalytic role” to encourage a market solution and attract in institutional investors. But he said it needed to be done ”at scale” injecting around £1 billion to change institutional attitudes to the sector. “This needs to happen this year,” he said. He added that local authorities need to come forward with their own development ideas as a way of combating the housing downturn. </p> <p>Sir Bob Kerslake: looking to get institutional investors involved in the private rented sector.</p>