Crawley MP, Henry Smith, has welcomed Government funding to build more affordable homes in Crawley as part of an action plan to boost house building. Through the New Homes Bonus, Crawley Borough Council has received just under £1 million this year to build much-needed homes in the local area.
The New Homes Bonus is a multi-billion pound programme that rewards communities when they accept more house building in their area, with extra rewards for building new affordable homes, and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.
Henry said:
“This is excellent news for Crawley as this money will help to build much needed new homes in our town.
“House building is already up a quarter since the election, but there is still more to do. This just under £1 million in funding is very welcome to continue the good work the Government has already done in getting house building going again.
“Under Labour, the number of affordable homes fell, waiting lists almost doubled and first-time buyer numbers collapsed to their lowest level for a generation. This Government aims to build up to 450,000 affordable new homes by 2015, which in turn will help to create over 200,000 new jobs in the construction industry.
“The Government has also announced measures that will help first-time buyers onto the housing ladder through lower deposit requirements. There are also plans to hand over disused public land for 100,000 new homes at 80% of market rates and end a long-standing tax on tenants in a £19 billion deal enabling councils to keep the rents they collect and invest the money in homes.
“These plans are great news for Crawley residents as they will really help those looking to get on the property ladder for the first time or individuals and families who are in need of new affordable housing. It is also very welcome news for local construction companies as I hope new jobs will be created to build these new homes.”
Other key proposals to increase the number of local home owners include:
· Mortgages of up to 95% of the value of new homes to be offered with government underwriting part of the risk
· £400m public fund to help developers unblock stalled housing schemes
· Largest discounts for social tenants wanting to own their properties under ‘Right to Buy’ scheme
· More public sector land to be made available for building
· Planning obligations on stalled projects reviewed
· Up to £150m to help bring empty housing back into use
· Consult on "pay to stay" so households with high salaries pay market rents