Three edited papers from the Housing Centre seminar, Attracting private finance for housing , held on 27 January 1988. W. Thomas, chairman of the inner cities commission of the House Builders Federation which reported to the Government in July 1987, explains why the commission was set up, how it operated and what its findings were. T. Hendy discusses partnerships between local authorities and housing associations , looking at the reasons why local authorities should welcome partnerships and reporting on two different schemes in Sheffield and Oxford . J. Black and B. Stevenson report on the joint setting up of the Victoria Dock Company by Hull City Council and Bellway Urban Renewal to redevelop the city`s dock area and in the final article N. Mullins describes the forming of the private company Winchester Housing Trust Ltd by the City Council to assist in the provision of low cost housing and examines how it will operate.