Families facing housing challenges are set to receive support through increased authority given to regional mayors to ensure appropriate housing options are developed within their communities.
For the first time, regional mayors will have more say in directing housebuilders on the types of housing needed, such as homes for the elderly, high-rise apartments, or council housing.
Today, mayors from six regions were presented with proposed expenditure budgets from the Government’s significant £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
This initiative will enable mayors, in collaboration with Homes England, to formulate crucial housing plans for their respective areas. These plans will assist housing providers in preparing official funding applications in February.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed recently called upon social and affordable housing providers to submit ambitious funding proposals under the program to address the pressing issues of housing waiting lists, homelessness, and inadequate housing for children.
In a statement to the Mirror, Reed emphasized the urgency to ramp up social housing construction and remove barriers hindering progress.
He stressed the importance of empowering local authorities and mayors to determine the housing needs of their communities, leveraging their unique understanding of local requirements.
Under the proposed budgets, Greater Manchester is expected to receive the highest allocation of £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 slated to receive £700 million.
These budget estimates are preliminary to assist mayors in early planning, with the possibility of increased funding based on official bids submitted later.
While spending plans have been disclosed for the six most established authorities, the allocated funds will be distributed across the country. London has already secured £11.7 billion over a decade.
Sarah Elliott, CEO of Shelter, highlighted the affordability crisis affecting families nationwide, pushing many into unstable housing situations due to the scarcity of affordable social rent properties.
She urged the government to not only invest in social housing but to set clear targets for private developers to contribute their share towards social housing construction. Elliott proposed a target of 90,000 social homes annually for the next decade to effectively combat homelessness.