Local authorities have been invited to become strategic partners with Homes England to increase the delivery of affordable housing.
The Government's housing delivery agency has opened up its strategic partnerships to local authorities, not for profit registered providers, and for-profit providers and developers.
The partnerships would allow councils to enter into a multi-year grant agreement with Homes England rather than applying for funding on a scheme-by-scheme basis.
A statement from Homes England read: 'We know there is more appetite, experience and capacity across the sector to deliver affordable housing. So, for the new affordable homes fund, we’ve redesigned our strategic partnership model, with an increased focus on the relationship element, and are opening this offer to a broader range of partners from across the housing sector.
'Strategic partnerships play a pivotal role in Homes England’s mission to use everything at our disposal to intervene in the market to?make homes happen.'
It currently has 23 partnerships with 27 housing associations, delivering over 40,000 additional affordable homes.