Sector welcomes the publication of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme delivery prospectuses and additional funding to boost housing development. Here we share opinion from the Chartered Institute of Housing, Riverside Group and North East Housing Partnership.
Focus on delivering 60% of homes for social rent
Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, says: “We welcome the publication of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme delivery prospectuses, alongside an additional £150m to unlock development on brownfield land. This follows the Government’s landmark announcement at the Spending Review of a £39bn investment in new affordable housing over the next decade and provides the time and clarity required for the sector to respond positively.
“The prospectuses rightly give Mayors and Combined Authorities a leading role in shaping how some of the funding will be spent across their regions, recognising the importance of local leadership and collaboration in tackling housing need. Alongside new flexibility and support for councils to build at scale, this approach provides a strong foundation for lasting change.
“We particularly welcome the focus on delivering 60% of homes for social rent – the most genuinely affordable option – which is essential to tackling homelessness, easing pressure on council budgets, driving economic growth and supporting local communities. We’re also pleased to see recognition of the need for investment in regeneration and in supported, community-led and rural housing.
“Housing providers remain committed to building the homes people need, and this programme will be a vital tool for delivery. The sector also needs certainty and funding to maintain and improve existing homes, so we look forward to the government’s forthcoming responses to consultations on the Decent Homes Standard, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, and rent convergence.
“We look forward to working with our members and partners at Homes England, the GLA, local authorities and housing providers to turn housing ambitions into reality as we move closer to our shared goal of creating a future where everyone has a place to call home.”
Funding will help thousands of people access new quality homes
Paul Dolan, Group Chief Executive of Riverside, commented: “This £7bn of funding for Metro Mayors to build new social and affordable homes will help thousands of people and families to access new, good-quality homes.
“We also warmly welcome the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme guidance stating that around three in five homes should be social rent homes. At a time when we have record numbers of homeless households living in temporary accommodation, it is crucial to increase the supply of social rent homes.
“The number of homeless households moving into social housing has fallen significantly from 2004/05 when 51,040 households had their homelessness ended by moving into a social home. This funding will help to reduce homelessness and ease pressure on social housing waiting lists across our regions. Importantly, it will also enable Mayors to work with Homes England to decide where affordable housing will be built across our regions to ensure new homes meet local housing needs.”
£1.1bn to build more social and affordable homes in the North East a welcome boost
Paul Fiddaman, Chair of the North East Housing Partnership, said: “We are delighted to hear that £1.1bn has been earmarked to build more social and affordable homes in the North East, and an additional £23m in brownfield funding to help remediate derelict land and turn it into vibrant housing developments. With around 70,000 people on the waiting list for social homes across the region, this is a much welcome boost.
“As members of the North East Housing Partnership, we will work together to deliver a programme of thousands of affordable homes across the region and we look forward to working with Homes England, the Elected Mayors and the Combined Authorities to ensure we deliver good quality homes that meet a wide range of housing needs.”
Header image: Copyright nrqemi/AdobeStock
