Social housing funding pledge of more than 1.5bn

"More than 1.5bn of funding has been promised for West and South Yorkshire to build more social housing, the government has announced. Amid questions over whether Labour can hit a target of 1.5m new homes by 2029, ministers have allocated West Yorkshire 1bn and South Yorkshire 700m under the previously announced Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP). Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said Labour had not revealed when the money to build the homes would be made available."

"The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the funding aimed to reduce the number of families stuck on waiting lists, with 180,000 social rent homes expected to be built in England. The investment is part of the government's previously announced 10-year affordable housing programme, which totals 39 billion. The government said the funding pledge would "turbocharge social housing plans... and kickstart thousands of desperately needed new homes for local families"."

"It said regional mayors would have the power to "shape the course of action" by setting out what type of homes will be built and where, though bids for funding would still have to be approved by Homes England. Reacting to the news, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "With council house waiting lists and private rents at breaking point, addressing the housing crisis is the most fundamental step our government could take to build a brighter Britain.""

West Yorkshire will receive 1bn and South Yorkshire 700m through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to fund new social housing. The funding aims to reduce waiting lists and support construction of an estimated 180,000 social rent homes across England as part of a 10-year, 39 billion affordable housing programme. Regional mayors can set priorities for what homes are built and where, although bids require Homes England approval. A separate 150m brownfield package aims to deliver 1,600 homes across Yorkshire with specific allocations of 21m for 841 homes in West Yorkshire, 12.3m for 492 in South Yorkshire and 7.3m for 292 in North Yorkshire.

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