Families in urgent housing need will receive support through increased authority for regional mayors to ensure appropriate housing developments in their vicinity.
Regional mayors will now have more say in directing housebuilders towards constructing homes tailored to the specific needs of their communities, whether it be homes for the elderly, high-rise apartments, or council housing.
Six regional mayors have been briefed on proposed budgets under the Government’s significant £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
This initiative enables mayors, in collaboration with Homes England, to formulate crucial housing strategies for their regions, assisting housing providers in preparing funding applications in February.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed recently convened social and affordable housing providers to urge them to submit ambitious funding proposals within the program.
In an interview with the Mirror, Reed emphasized the importance of large-scale construction of social housing and the removal of obstacles hindering this progress.
He stressed the need to empower local authorities and mayors to dictate the types of housing developments suitable for their areas based on their unique understanding of local requirements.
Under the proposed budgets, Greater Manchester is anticipated to receive the largest allocation at £1.8 billion, followed by the West Midlands at £1.6 billion, the North East at £1.1 billion, and West Yorkshire at £1 billion. Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire are each projected to receive £700 million.
These figures are provisional to aid mayors in early planning, with the possibility of increased funding based on official bids.
While indicative spending plans have been disclosed for the six established authorities, funds will be distributed nationwide, including a £11.7 billion allocation over ten years for London.
Sarah Elliott, CEO of Shelter, highlighted the housing crisis, emphasizing the critical need for more affordable social rent homes to prevent families from being priced out of stable housing options.
She called for government action to set clear targets for social housing delivery, which would require private developers to contribute their fair share to meet the goal of ending homelessness.
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