New starter homes to be built in 30 council areas
The Government today announced the construction of new starter homes will begin this year in 30 council areas and will be supported with over £1bn of funding.
The new houses will be targeted at first-time buyers between the ages of 23 and 40 years old and will be offered at a discount of at least 20% below market value.
Whitehall has established partnerships with 30 local authorities - selected on the basis of their potential for early delivery - under its £1.2bn Starter Homes Land Fund. The fund was set up to prepare suitable land for quality starter home developments.
‘This government is committed to building Starter Homes to help young first time buyers get on the housing ladder,’ said housing minister Gavin Barwell.
‘This first wave of partnerships shows the strong local interest to build thousands of Starter Homes on hundreds of brownfield sites in the coming years.
‘One in three councils has expressed an interest to work with us so far.’
Responding to the announcement, Cllr Martin Tett, housing spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘It is good that the Government is working closely with councils to build more homes, alongside the infrastructure needed to support strong communities.
‘Ultimately, local areas will need discretion on the number of starter homes required in new developments.
‘This will allow councils to ensure a mix of homes – to rent and buy – are built which are affordable for those people that need them and that are crucial for enabling people to save money towards a deposit.’
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