Homes4people

Housing Minister John Healey today announced that in October he confirmed the release of a further £290 million that should build almost 5,500 affordable homes across the country, helping to tackle housing waiting list pressures, boost the construction industry and support over 6000 jobs.

Mr Healey said that this latest installment of Government cash to build more affordable homes brings total Government support for housebuilding since June to £1.8 billion.

Projects right across the country will feel the benefit of today’s £290 million cash, building almost 5,500 more affordable homes across 149 local authority areas. The funding will be distributed through the Homes and Communities Agency, the Government’s housing delivery body.

Mr Healey said over a quarter of the new homes provided will help get first time buyers onto the property ladder through the HomeBuy scheme and other low cost home ownership programmes, while the remainder of the new homes will provide much needed council and housing association properties for social tenants.

Mr Healey also made clear his determination that every one of the housing associations receiving Government housebuilding cash will be required to provide apprentices to help secure a strong future for the industry and support and cultivate the next generation of construction workers through providing young people the chance to gain experience and qualifications to build their careers.

Speaking at a UNISON Conference in Manchester today, John Healey said:

“We’re building the homes this country needs, providing new homes for families across the country and helping first time buyers take their first step onto the housing ladder.

“We’re using the power of government investment to support the construction industry at a time of recession when it needs it most, providing the means to help get the market moving again. And with tough terms for developers to get their cash we’re getting the most for every taxpayer’s pound, creating new jobs and apprenticeships and safeguarding the future of the industry.

“Today’s investment to build more affordable homes brings the total government help for housebuilding since June to £1.8bn and I’m determined to keep building homes in the months ahead, with further cash to come for councils, housing associations and developers.”

Notes to editors

1. Some of the projects to receive Government funding on the National Affordable Housing Programme include:
East of England
Cotney Croft & Peartree Way, Stevenage,

Home Housing Group will receive a total £314,000 NAHP cash to build eight homes for affordable rent as part of an exemplar low carbon project.

London

Violet Road, Tower Hamlets

Network Housing Group Limited will receive over £2.2 million to redevelop the current disused clothing factory providing 73 homes – including 23 affordable homes – alongside commercial floor space. The scheme will include a number of energy efficient design measures such as energy efficient lighting, wind turbines and a combined heat and power system.
Heathside and Lethbridge, Lewisham

Family Mosaic developers will receive £14.3 million NAHP cash to overhaul these two adjoining Council owned estates between Lewisham Road and Blackheath Hill, to provide around 450 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, alongside a mix of homes for intermediate rent and private sale.

South East

Shenley Wood Village in Milton Keynes

£4.8 million NAHP investment in Shenley Wood Village will provide 75 new Extra Care homes for older people to rent at an affordable level to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable in the local area.

South West
Battery Street, Homeless Hostel, Plymouth.

Bournemouth Churches Housing Association will receive £2.1m toward replacing an existing hostel for the homeless in Plymouth. The new hostel will consist of 46 units (44 one person bedsits, and 2 two person bedsits) to provide short stay temporary accommodation for 48 people before they move to more long-term supported accommodation. Start on site is scheduled for late February with completion scheduled for May 2011.
Fursdon, Plymouth

New Futures and Tamar Housing will receive £937,822 NAHP cash for the refurbishment of a listed building and the surrounding area to provide 14 new homes. The scheduled start on site is end of January 2010 with completion mid July 2011.

West Midlands
Trench Lock, Telford

Bloor Homes and Wrekin Housing Trust will recieve £3.37m NAHP cash to build 60 much needed affordable homes within a larger scheme in North Telford. Through the provision of NAHP it has given the developer confidence to progress the whole scheme which has now started on site.

Snow Hill, Birmingham

Midland Heart developers will recieve £5.13m NAHP cash for the conversion and extension a of supported housing scheme to provide an mixed community living scheme for 88 people, including training rooms, IT facilities and social enterprise facilities. Half the places will be offered to homeless tenants, and half to those employed or in training on low incomes. .

2. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing and regeneration agency for England, with an annual investment budget of more than £5bn. The HCA was formed on 1 December 2008 along with the Tenant Services Authority (the regulatory body for Registered Social Landlords).

3. A regional breakdown of the £289 million allocated to over 50 Housing Associations across 149 local authority areas which will support delivery of a further 5,500 affordable homes is detailed below:

Sponsor LA Region Total Grant Low Cost Home Ownership Homes for Social Rent
East Midlands £13,880,157 94 281
Eastern £80,865,924 401 1,369
London £55,458,164 297 443
North East £268,714 6
North West £30,772,980 118 490
South East £15,962,955 129 177
South West £68,893,863 238 931
West Midlands £17,322,616 144 182
Yorkshire & the Humber £5,626,118 119 70
Grand Total £289,051,491 1,540 3,949