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The Government steps in to safeguard 53,000 new build homes
On Monday 6th July, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that the Government will be extending the current Affordable Homes Programme until March 2023.
Delays in the Construction Industry
Construction on new build homes to be built under the Government’s £9 billion scheme originally needed to be underway by March 2022.
However, today’s announcement means that housing associations and councils have a year longer to begin building these new homes.
The extension applies to homes which are in contract to be delivered by the current scheme.
The Government has made the move in light of unavoidable delays in the construction industry due to coronavirus, where the building of 53,000 new affordable homes has stalled, putting their eventual completion at risk.
Providing Flexibility to Councils
Mr. Jenrick said that this measure will give housing associations and councils more flexibility “to help them deliver affordable homes.”
He added that “building the homes the country needs is central to the mission of this Government.”
This latest announcement follows last week’s package of measures, including confirmation that the new £12 billion Affordable Homes Programme will support up to 180,000 new build homes, including for shared ownership and social rent.
The programme will lead to a further £38 billion in public and private investment in affordable housing.