£700m in funding to build more social housing across South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has called the cash a 'game changer'
South Yorkshire will be given £700m to build more social housing in the coming years – the Government has announced.
And local leaders will be able to say what types of homes should be built, and what areas should get the new housing.
The investment is part of the Government’s previously announced 10-year affordable housing programme.
Under the plans, Greater Manchester is expected to receive £1.8 billion, West Midlands £1.7 billion, the North East £1.1 billion, West Yorkshire £1 billion, and both Liverpool City and South Yorkshire will see a £700 million boost.
Local leaders will be able to specify the types of homes needed in their areas and which sites to prioritise for construction as part of their funding bids.
The announcement comes after concerns over affordable housing targets and the Government’s ability to meet its 1.5 million new homes target were raised by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee last month.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the funding aims to reduce the number of families stuck on social housing waiting lists, with 180,000 social rent homes expected to be built in England.
A £150 million package has also been allocated to mayors to fund the development of brownfield sites, with the aim of building more than 4,000 new homes.
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.”
Bids for funding will open from February.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “This money from Government is game-changing for us; giving us the opportunity to clear hundreds of derelict sites and build thousands of homes.
“£700m will allow us to focus on helping to build social and affordable housing meaning we can offer everyone in our community a high-quality home in South Yorkshire, so they can stay near and go far.”