Particle.news
Download on the App Store
11 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Government Hands Metro Mayors Control of £7bn Social Housing Pot

Bids open in February 2026 under Homes England approval, raising questions over cash flow, timing, capacity.

Image
Image
Housing secretary Steve Reed has issued a rallying cry of 'build, baby, build' since replacing Angela Rayner but is facing a challenge to deliver on the government's 1.5-million-home promise. Image: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Image

Overview

  • Six mayoral regions outside London will shape local priorities for the new round of social and affordable housebuilding, working with Homes England on site selection and tenure mix.
  • Indicative regional shares are Greater Manchester £1.8bn, West Midlands £1.7bn, North East £1.1bn, West Yorkshire £1bn, and £700m each for Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire.
  • A £150m brownfield pot is being deployed alongside regional allocations, including £25.8m for Greater Manchester, £26.1m for the West Midlands, £13.8m for Liverpool City Region, £17.6m for the North East, and £6.1m for Tees Valley to unlock more than 4,000 homes.
  • Policy changes include allowing councils to combine Right to Buy receipts with government grants from 2026/27 and increasing the cap on single council build programmes from 200 to 1,000 homes, with additional targeted support for council housebuilding.
  • The £7bn sits within a 10‑year, £39bn programme targeting about 300,000 affordable homes with a high share for social rent, aiming to reduce waiting lists and temporary accommodation as critics press for clarity on delivery timelines and capacity.