Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Housing Minister John Healey has confirmed the latest installment of Government cash as £290m which should build almost 5,500 affordable homes across the country.
Healey said that this brings total Government support for housebuilding since June to £1.8 billion. The 5,500 homes will be built actoss 149 local authority areas and will be distributed through the Homes and Communities Agency, the Government’s housing delivery body.
He added that 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 will provide much needed council and housing association properties for social tenants.
Speaking at a UNISON Conference in Manchester today, 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.”
