November 26, 2009
JOHN ANNOUNCES A FURTHER £3.5M FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Housing Minister John Healey has today confirmed the release of a further £3.5m for affordable homes in South Yorkshire.
In the October allocations:
• Barnsley Council received £1.6m for 56 homes available to rent or buy at low-cost;
• Rotherham Council received £1.15m for 69 homes;
• Sheffield Council received £765,000 for 15 homes.
This is on top of over £3m which was allocated to South Yorkshire in September.
Mr Healey, also MP for Wentworth, said £290 million was released nationally last month, which should build almost 5,500 affordable homes, helping to tackle housing waiting list pressures, boost the construction industry and support over 6,000 jobs.
It brings the total government support for housebuilding since June to £1.8 billion – with nearly £150 million coming to Yorkshire and the Humber.
Mr Healey said over a quarter of the new homes provided will help get first time buyers onto the property ladder through the HomeBuy scheme and other low cost home ownership programmes, while the remainder of the new homes will provide much needed council and housing association properties for social tenants.
Mr Healey also made clear his determination that every one of the housing associations receiving government housebuilding cash will be required to provide apprentices to help secure a strong future for the industry and support and cultivate the next generation of construction workers through providing young people the chance to gain experience and qualifications to build their careers.
Speaking at a UNISON conference in Manchester today, he said: “We’re building the homes this country needs, providing new homes for families across the country and helping first time buyers take their first step onto the housing ladder.
“We’re using the power of government investment to support the construction industry at a time of recession when it needs it most, providing the means to help get the market moving again. And with tough terms for developers to get their cash we’re getting the most for every taxpayer’s pound, creating new jobs and apprenticeships and safeguarding the future of the industry.
“Today’s investment to build more affordable homes brings the total government help for housebuilding since June to £1.8 billion and I’m determined to keep building homes in the months ahead, with further cash to come for councils, housing associations and developers.”