New-home building scheme 'exceeding expectations'

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 13:48:02 GMT

The Affordable Homes Programme is flourishing, it has been claimed.

A government-led new home building initiative is exceeding initial expectations, it has been claimed.

Housing minister Grant Shapps has hailed the progress of the Affordable Homes Programme, which aims to oversee the construction of thousands of new properties over the next four years.

It has been revealed that 146 providers are sharing almost £1.8 billion to build around 80,000 homes under the programme - which is also receiving £4.5 billion of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency.

This means the government is currently on track to deliver around 170,000 new dwellings by 2015, which is markedly higher than the original aspiration of 150,000 abodes.

Such figures also suggest around 80,000 jobs in the construction and related trades will be safeguarded as a result.

Mr Shapps commented: "The Affordable Homes Programme has received a ringing endorsement from the sector and confounded the critics who said the programme would not deliver in the current climate."

He explained many of the new properties will also be bigger buildings designed specifically for larger families.

Doom and gloom was predicted for the project by many commentators, Mr Shapps noted, with some suggesting the approach would only take off in the south east.

"But we now have a wealth of strong proposals, putting us on track to deliver up to 170,000 new affordable homes across the country over the next four years," her added.

Communities minister Andrew Stunnell said the initiative is starting to right the wrong that has seen millions of people stuck on housing lists.

He explained the new-builds will be located up and down the country, in cities, towns and more urban settings.

As well as helping out those who are in search of a new place to live, the programme is delivering a much-needed shot in the arm for the construction sector, Mr Stunnell went on to point out.
 

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