Housing boss welcomes extra funding for affordable homes
The chief executive of one of the region’s biggest housing associations has welcomed a £2 billion injection into social and affordable housebuilding ahead of today’s Spring Statement.
Housing Plus Group’s Wayne Gethings said the additional funding would help ensure the continued delivery of new affordable homes, before a new funding programme for the sector is announced later in the year.
Mr Gethings said: “An additional £2 billion to fund 18,000 new social and affordable homes is hugely welcome news and a positive sign that the government is serious about addressing the housing crisis.
“It will help to ensure that more people and families have access to housing that is affordable, safe and secure, and we are thrilled to be part of this wider national effort.
“At Housing Plus Group, we provide 33,000 affordable homes across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Staffordshire, and we are eager to continue playing our part in meeting the growing housing needs of our communities.
“This latest funding – announced by the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister on our doorstep in Stoke-on-Trent – offers a welcome boost to these efforts.”
The Government says all projects receiving a slice of the £2 billion will need to start by March 2027 and be completed by June 2029.
It has described the funding as a ‘bridge’ between the end of the current Affordable Homes Programme next year and a wider long-term investment strategy for the sector, which will be announced at the Spending Review in June.
Mr Gethings added: “It is now vital that momentum is maintained, in order to ensure the long-term demand for affordable housing can be met and the Government can achieve its broader ambitions of delivering 1.5 million homes in the current parliament.
“We look forward to the announcement of the successor to the Affordable Homes Programme later this year.
“It is crucial that the successor programme provides the clarity and funding needed to sustain and grow the supply of affordable homes across the country.
“Housing Plus Group remains committed to playing our part in addressing this critical issue, and we hope that this investment marks the beginning of a continued focus on affordable housing in the years ahead.”
Pic: Wayne Gethings
