The Homes & Communities Agency has opened the bidding for funding under the 2015-18 Affordable Homes Programme. Housing associations, councils and housebuilders are all invited to apply for a share of the £1.7bn pot.
The scheme is the successor to the current 2011-15 programme, which is on track to deliver 170,000 homes by 2015, it says.
If the next stage works out, it will mean 335,000 new affordable homes will have been delivered between 2011 and 2018.
There will be two routes to bidding: either firm schemes only, or the mixed route comprised of firm schemes and indicative proposals. Any bidder will be able to bid for firm schemes only, but the mixed route is only open to current HCA investment partners with a proven track record of good delivery. The HCA said that this would maximise certainty of delivery, and delivery of firm schemes will be encouraged early on in the programme to help maintain an even supply of new homes.
HCA chief executive Andy Rose said: “We have published full details for the new 2015-18 Affordable Homes Programme to make best use of the lead in time to the start of the new programme and ensure delivery can start from Day 1. We are continually looking at ways of maximising the number of new affordable homes for the funding invested, and secure early delivery. We have taken the opportunity to introduce new features which reflect some of the views expressed from partners during the current programme and during the programme development.
“As a result, we are setting in place a solid foundation for delivery post 2015, that builds on the success of the current programme.
“It is important of course that our investment partners continue to meet their delivery commitments under the existing programme. Alongside current delivery, they can take advantage of the long lead in time to the new programme, to ensure a smooth pipeline of affordable homes that our communities need. We look forward to taking the new programme forward with them.”
Further details can be found on the HCA website, where the 2015-18 Affordable Homes Programme prospectus can also be downloaded.
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