With a General Election around the corner and the economic climate meaning tough decisions ahead on public spending, housing leaders are coming together in Bristol today for a top-level debate.

The National Housing Federation's South West Building Neighbourhoods conference will see representatives from the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and South West Councils Strategic Leaders Board speaking about housing priorities and the challenges ahead.

Experts will examine potential solutions to the housing crisis, as well as hearing the latest news as the sector prepares for the launch of a new set of regulations.

Federation chief executive David Orr will join the debate at the Grand Hotel in Broad Street in a panel discussion with Colin Molton from the HCA and Julian Ashby from the TSA.

Andrew Van Doorn, of the National Mental Health Unit is a keynote speaker and will explore the future of residential care amid major changes to the way it is funded.

Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke, who chairs the South West Housing and Regeneration Board, will set out her vision for housing and regeneration in the region.

The latest figures show that in 2008, one in 14 families were on social housing waiting lists in the region and the average home cost nearly 12 times the average wage.

Simon Nunn, head of the southern region for the National Housing Federation, said it was a great time of change for housing associations, which faced a number of huge challenges.