Strategic partners who will help deliver the government’s new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, the largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, have been confirmed by Homes England.
A total of 33 partners will receive grant funding and work with the government’s housing and regeneration agency to deliver much needed social and affordable homes across the country, outside of London.
They will join other partner organisations supporting delivery through the 10-year programme’s other funding route (Continuous Market Engagement) to create thousands of new homes.
Homes England Chief Executive Amy Rees said: “The strong demand for SAHP funding demonstrates the sector’s ambition to deliver as part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to come together, alongside partners funded through the programme’s alternative Continuous Market Engagement (CME) route, to deliver thousands of social and affordable homes for people, families and communities across England.
“Our team is absolutely focused on working in close collaboration with our partners alongside regional leaders, mayors and the sector to deliver on government policy and ensure this investment supports the creation of high quality homes and thriving places that people want and need.”
Alongside housing associations, councils will be awarded Strategic Partner status with Homes England, helping put them firmly back at the heart of housebuilding. Around 60% of homes delivered through these partnerships are expected to be for Social Rent, the most affordable form of rented housing, helping more families access a secure home.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ”No child should be raised in a hostel room and no family should wait ten years for a front door of their own. I have said from my first day in this job that everything starts with a good home.
“Nearly £10 billion will go to councils and housing associations to build genuinely affordable homes, most of them for social rent, in the places where families are waiting longest.
“Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do it again.”
Today’s allocation is only the first stage of the ten-year programme. More than £16 billion remains to be allocated outside London and in allocating this funding, we intend to prioritise Social Rent homes and council housebuilding, helping deliver the largest expansion of council housing in decades.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “It is hugely welcome to see this much-anticipated funding confirmed, something we have been calling for to kickstart construction on tens of thousands of desperately needed new social homes.
“This is a major vote of confidence in not-for-profit housing associations and in the vital and distinct role they play in this country, as organisations that work for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Housing associations have risen to the challenge of delivering the governments ambitions. Working in partnership with government, councils and mayors, they have used the support and certainty provided by government to rebuild their development capacity, invest in skills, and be the strong and reliable partners needed to build a new generation of social and affordable homes, alongside increasing investment in their existing homes. This is no better demonstrated than in the scale and ambition of the bids submitted to this Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
“We will continue work with national and local government to maximise housing associations’ potential to deliver new social rented homes during this parliament and over the next decade, meeting the housing needs of local people in every part of the country.”
The package builds on the government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament, including the biggest boost to council, social and affordable housing in a generation.
Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “It’s very welcome to see funding from last year’s Spending Review now being allocated and getting into the hands of Strategic Partners across the country, turning the government’s long-term commitment into homes that can make a real difference for families. We welcome the strong focus on homes for social rent and the ambition for council housebuilding, and the recognition of the vital role that councils, housing associations and other providers will play in delivering the next generation of genuinely affordable homes. If delivered at pace, this investment has the potential to reduce homelessness, ease pressure on temporary accommodation and help more people access a safe, secure and affordable home.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “Councils have long called for a sustained return to building genuinely affordable homes and stand ready to work with government to deliver the revival in social housebuilding.
“The confirmed allocation of the first phase of the £39 billion fund and the increased Capacity to Build funding are positive steps to achieving this ambition.
“Given the key role for councils in delivering these homes, it is crucial they remain at the heart of delivery. Mayors should work closely with local authorities in their areas to achieve the most from this money, with councils also having sustained access to preferential borrowing rates to support viability.”
