MORE SHEFFIELD FAMILIES SET TO BENEFIT FROM WARM, SECURE SOCIAL HOMES
- New funding and financial flexibilities to help councils and housing providers accelerate social and affordable housebuilding
- Tougher standards to tackle damp, mould and poor insulation, cutting bills and improving living conditions for tenants
- Comes ahead of a £39 billion bidding window opening next month to deliver around 300,000 social and affordable homes nationwide
Hundreds more families in Sheffield are set to benefit from new social and affordable homes, alongside higher standards that will make homes warmer, safer and cheaper to run.
The Government has announced the biggest boost to social housing grant funding in a generation, alongside new measures to help councils and housing associations build more homes and improve existing stock. The changes are designed to reduce the number of families stuck in temporary accommodation or waiting years for a secure home.
Under the plans, councils, housing associations and other providers will receive greater financial support and flexibility to get building faster. This includes removing unnecessary administrative barriers that have prevented some councils from building council homes for years.
Landlords will also be required to meet stronger standards to ensure social homes are free from serious disrepair, damp and mould, and are properly insulated. A new Decent Homes Standard will modernise housing rules for the first time in 20 years, alongside tougher minimum energy efficiency requirements that could save tenants hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills.
The announcement comes ahead of the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme opening for bids next month, which will support the delivery of around 300,000 homes over its lifetime.
Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:
“Too many families locally are stuck on housing waiting lists or living in homes that are cold, damp or simply not fit for purpose.
“This funding and these new standards are a real opportunity to get more genuinely affordable homes built here, while also improving the quality of existing homes so people can live with dignity and feel secure.
“Decent housing isn’t a luxury – it’s the foundation for good health, lower bills and stronger communities, and I’ll be working to make sure our area benefits from these changes.”
As part of the reforms, councils will be able to build up to 1,000 new homes without having to open a new Housing Revenue Account, removing a costly administrative hurdle that has held back development.
The Government is also taking action to unlock stalled affordable homes agreed through Section 106 planning obligations, where homes have been built but remain unoccupied because no provider is able to buy them. A new time-limited approach will allow greater flexibility to ensure these homes can be brought into use more quickly.
Alongside new supply, living standards for millions of existing tenants will be improved. The updated Decent Homes Standard will set clearer requirements for the condition of roofs, doors and windows, and introduce a stronger response to damp and mould, building on the first phase of Awaab’s Law. For the first time, these standards will also apply to privately rented homes.
From 2030, social landlords will also be required to upgrade homes to meet higher energy efficiency standards, including measures such as better insulation, solar panels or modern heating systems. These upgrades are expected to make homes warmer and significantly reduce heating costs for families.