UK: The Governmental boost to affordable housing
The NHF ‘To Do’ list for 2017
London, 19 January 2017 | Social, Economy
In the dawn of the new year, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Sajid Javid has unlocked £7bn in an expansion of the government’s affordable housing programme, a decision that was welcomed by the National Housing Federation (NHF). At the same time, the NHF have already gotten down to work on their 2017 Housing ‘To Do’ list.
Following Mr. Javid’s decision, Housing providers are now able to apply for a share of the fund, which was allocated an additional £1.4bn at the Autumn Statement to deliver 40,000 new affordable housing starts across the country. Additionally, the government is expanding the existing affordable homes programme to offer a wider range of ways of helping people into home ownership and to provide support for those that need affordable housing.
In response to the announcement, David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), a member of Housing Europe, said: “We are delighted to start the new year on such a strong footing with such a clear show of faith from the Government in our sector. This funding and the relaxed restrictions for building affordable homes will enable housing associations to provide the right mix of houses.”
At the same time, the NHF presented its ‘To Do’ list for 2017, a “list that might just be the starting point to end the housing crisis” according to David Orr. Among the priorities one can see the following:
- ‘Get Building’
- ‘Get Regenerating’
- ‘Sort out Supported and Sheltered Housing’
- ‘Ensure people on low incomes have homes they can afford’
- ‘Health and Social Care’
Leave comments