We've been named as a Homes England Strategic Partner, securing £230 million in funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) to deliver 2,010 affordable homes across Yorkshire.
The SAHP is the Government's £39 billion affordable housing programme, announced last year to support the delivery of new homes over the next decade. This announcement marks the first major funding allocations, with Homes England confirming 33 strategic partners and £9.58 billion of funding.
As a Strategic Partner, we'll continue working closely with Homes England to bring forward affordable homes across Yorkshire, backed by this long-term funding and the certainty needed to plan ahead.
This is hugely welcome at a time when the need for affordable housing remains as urgent as ever, with around 172,000 households on housing waiting lists across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The funding will help us deliver more affordable homes for key workers, young families, people on lower incomes and others in need.
It will also help us keep moving towards our ambition of building 8,000 new homes across Yorkshire. We recently celebrated the completion of our 4,000th home, taking us beyond the halfway point. Every new home built towards that goal, and supported by this funding, will give more people the stability and security that comes with an affordable home.
Our CEO Nick Atkin said: “When the Government first announced this £39 billion programme last year, it was a clear signal of its ambition. Here at Yorkshire Housing, we've repeatedly said this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle the housing crisis and give our sector the long-term certainty we've been calling for.
“The size of funding submissions made through the programme shows both the scale of housing need and the sector's appetite to deliver the much-needed homes required to address it.
“Housing associations have a vital role to play in making this programme a success. Our long-standing track record of delivering affordable homes at scale means we are well placed to continue working closely with Homes England, councils, mayors and other partners.
“The biggest prize here isn't just the funding, it's also the certainty. A ten-year programme gives us the confidence to invest and plan ahead."
You can read more about the Social and Affordable Homes Programme and funding allocations here.