Full Breakdown
Push for Immediate Release of £39 bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme
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Core Event
Labour MP Abena Oppong-Asare, chair of the Commons housing committee, has urged Chancellor John Healey to allocate a larger share of the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) during the current parliament rather than waiting until after the October 28 budget. She argues that housing associations are ready to build tens of thousands of homes if funding is unlocked now.
Background & Context
The SAHP, announced by former Treasury chief Rachel Reeves, is a ten-year fund intended to deliver a mix of council houses, affordable-rent units and shared-ownership homes. The programme was designed to help the government meet its target of 1.5 million new homes this parliament. Earlier allocations have already funded the construction of more than 70 000 homes across England.
Data & Statistics
- Housing associations say they could deliver an extra 41 000 homes outside London over the next decade with additional funding, including 25 000 social-rent units.
- They estimate 15 000 of those homes could start construction within three years.
- The National Housing Federation (NHF) estimates an extra £5.3 bn is needed from the SAHP to achieve this output.
- Ministers have earmarked £6 bn for immediate delivery in London, with the remaining £13 bn slated for “significant sums” in the second half of the programme, after the next election.
- To date, the Ministry of Housing reports nearly £10 bn of allocations have been announced.
Official Statements & Responses
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the NHF, said that many associations with ready sites and proven track records have not received the necessary funding, and that additional investment now could transform the lives of families awaiting affordable homes. A Ministry of Housing spokesperson highlighted that the announced £10 bn of allocations will enable the construction of more than 70 000 council, social and affordable homes, helping families in temporary accommodation secure stable housing.
Upcoming Budget Decision
Oppong-Asare’s appeal comes ahead of Chancellor Healey’s budget scheduled for October 28, where she expects the chancellor to consider releasing a larger portion of the SAHP to meet the expressed capacity of housing associations and address urgent waiting-list pressures.