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Housing Solicitors

Extra £7 billion unlocked for affordable homes (5 January 2017)

Date: 05/01/2017
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Extra £7 billion unlocked for affordable homes

The government has announced that a further £7 billion in funding is being unlocked as part of its affordable housing programme.

From 5 January, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid unlocked the money in a major expansion of the government’s affordable housing programme – housing providers can now apply for a share of the fund, which was allocated an additional £1.4bn in the Autumn Statement to deliver 40,000 new affordable housing starts across the country.

Alongside the extra funding, the government says it is expanding the existing affordable homes programme to offer a wider range of ways of helping people into home ownership – and to provide support for those who need affordable housing.

The variety of tenures available now includes Affordable Rent, Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy – the programme is intended to help meet the housing needs of a wider range of people in different circumstances and at different stages of their lives.

This includes homes for Rent to Buy, which will be let with rents set at or below 80% of the local market rent for a set time period, giving tenants the opportunity to save for a deposit and then the option to buy their current home.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

“This government is committed to increasing housing supply and halting the decline in affordability.

“Our newly expanded affordable housing programme, turbo-charged by a multi-billion pound investment, will allow housing associations to build more homes in places where they are most needed, particularly for families who are just about managing.

“By encouraging the delivery of more homes under a variety of tenures, we can create a housing market which truly works for everyone, meeting the diverse housing needs of this country.”

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell added:

“Up and down the country, we are investing more in affordable housing to help make the dream of home ownership a reality for thousands more tenants.

“This includes opening up the housing market to younger people and providing decent, affordable homes for rent for those who cannot afford to buy.”

Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) chairman, Sir Ed Lister, said:

“The HCA is leading the government’s drive to increase the scale and pace of delivery of housebuilding.

“The expanded affordable housing programme will help us continue to work with both housing associations and developers new to this area of the housing market, to increase the availability of affordable homes.

“The expanded programme will also allow providers the flexibility and agility to respond to local needs and markets. This will boost housebuilding by encouraging providers to deliver a mix of homes for both affordable rent and low-cost ownership that is most suited to each place.”

A Housing White Paper will be published later in January.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:


  • Debt management for homeowners

  • Disrepair of rented property

  • Housing Benefit

  • Housing possession

  • Landlords’ obligations

  • Landlord and tenant disputes

  • Lease extensions

  • Local Authority housing

  • Mortgage repossession

  • Notice to quit

  • Nuisance neighbours

  • Right to Buy

  • Right to Rent checks

  • Tenancy agreements

  • Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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