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1h ago

Government Sets £7bn City-Region Allocations for Social and Affordable Homes, Empowering Mayors

Regional leaders gain authority to shape priorities, with applications opening in February subject to Homes England sign-off.

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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
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It comes as polling shows Labour is increasingly under threat from Reform in the North of England and the Midlands (Photo: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty)

Overview

  • Indicative shares include around £1.8bn for Greater Manchester, £1.7bn for the West Midlands, £1.1bn for the North East, £1bn for West Yorkshire, and about £700m each for Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire.
  • Mayors outside London will work with Homes England to set local housing priorities and sites, but projects must be competitively bid and approved before money is released.
  • A £150m brownfield package accompanies the allocations, with local pots such as £25.8m for Greater Manchester, £26.1m for the West Midlands, and £17.6m for the North East, and a £13.8m award helping unlock 555 homes in Liverpool City Region.
  • The 10‑year, £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme aims to deliver about 300,000 homes across England, roughly 60% for social rent, to reduce waiting lists and reliance on temporary accommodation.
  • Independent analysts warn the government could miss its 1.5 million homes pledge by up to a quarter, and opposition figures are pressing for clarity on when funding will flow.