Housing associations in the East of England have welcomed the first tranche of funding made available through a new £39billion investment into affordable housing projects.
The government and Homes England’s new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) comes as part of Downing Street’s commitment to deliver 300,000 social and affordable homes nationwide.
It has been described as the “largest investment in social and affordable housing for a generation” – with 33 housing associations and councils selected to receive up to £350m in grants from an initial £9.58bn pot until 2036.
That initial investment is hoped to support the delivery of more than 70,000 homes.
Providers working in the east set to benefit include Cambridge City Council, Bromford Flagship Livewest, Sanctuary and Orbit Group.
Phil Andrew, Group Chief Executive for Orbit, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been awarded £350m as part of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, and to be able to continue to work with Homes England in helping to tackle the UK’s housing crisis.
“The grant will enable us to build 3,335 new homes, as part of our ambition to build 7,000 new and regenerated homes by 2030.
“We look forward to being able to provide more people with a good quality home that they can afford, in a place they are proud to live.”
Other housing associations have also praised the announcement, including Ipswich-based Orwell Housing.
While not selected as one of the 33 partners, it can continue to access funding through Homes England’s Continuous Market Engagement (CME) programme.
Wendy Evans-Hendrick, Chief Executive of Orwell Housing, added: “Access to high-quality affordable and social housing is essential for communities across the country.
“The Social and Affordable Homes Programme will be warmly welcomed by the sector and will play an important role in helping to meet growing demand for housing.
“It will also provide the confidence many organisations need to accelerate development plans that rely on this vital funding.
“As a local, community-focussed housing provider we remain heavily invested in building the right homes, in the right place for the communities in which we work.
“Locally based associations like ourselves have a key role to play in making sure the need for housing is met across the region.
“Our mission is ‘together we make a difference’ and by collaborating and working in partnership with our local authorities, other housing associations and the government, we can help deliver the homes our local communities so desperately need.”
Homes England’s Chief Executive, Amy Rees, added: “The strong demand for SAHP funding demonstrates the sector’s ambition to deliver as part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to come together, alongside partners funded through the programme’s alternative Continuous Market Engagement (CME) route, to deliver thousands of social and affordable homes for people, families and communities across England.
“Our team is absolutely focused on working in close collaboration with our partners alongside regional leaders, mayors and the sector to deliver on government policy and ensure this investment supports the creation of high quality homes and thriving places that people want and need.”
