Greater Manchester will be one several mayoral areas set to receive funding from the Government to build new social housing.
Along with the West Midlands and the North East, the major housing boost is aimed at lowering social housing waiting lists which are estimated at 15,000 across the region
Nationally the new £7b programme is expected to deliver at least 60% social rent homes – creating around 180,000 across England
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:
“Families have been trapped in so-called temporary accommodation for years or stuck on council waiting lists with no hope of a secure home.
“We’re changing that for good with the biggest boost to social housebuilding in a generation and getting behind mayors who are ready to build affordable housing across their regions.
“We’re also backing councils to build again and transform derelict sites into thriving neighbourhoods, urging them to go big, go bold and go build.”
For the first time Mayors, working jointly with Homes England, will shape the course of action for new affordable housing money in their regions, setting out ambitious plans for the types of homes that get built, sites prioritised for construction and how many suitable bids for grant funding could come forward in each area.
As part of these plans housing providers will be required to demonstrate how their bids align with local priorities, accelerating delivery of homes that genuinely meet local needs, ranging from specialist housing for older people to community-led projects.
