Our reaction to the government’s investment to support social and affordable housebuilding

Today, we've shared our reaction to the government's investment to support social and affordable housebuilding. Here are comments from our Chief Investment Officer, Amanda Williams:

“This welcome funding gives affordable housing providers further clarity as we map out our delivery pipelines over the next few years. With another announcement on affordable housing investment expected in the summer, there is a real opportunity to accelerate the availability of affordable housing across the country.

“Targeting investment in the right places, where it will have the most impact, is going to be key. Rural areas and places with high deprivation, including the south west, would really benefit along with Manchester and Liverpool. 

“Something we would like to see more detail on is how a long-term funding strategy could incentivise collaboration so that affordable housing is front and centre of all new development. Not only could it drive innovation, but it will also give providers the bandwidth to explore alternative delivery methods, like community land trusts (CLTs), alongside traditional mechanisms such as Section 106. 

“We know in practice that locating the talent necessary to deliver these homes continues to be a challenge. The additional £600 million funding to boost construction careers announced earlier this week is another step in the right direction to ultimately getting this much needed housing delivered.”