Housing Headlines

Communities and Local Government  - £400 million deal to increase affordable housing 

A national deal worth more than £400m to help first time buyers aspiring to buy their own home was approved today by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the economy. The deal means up to 2,300 first time buyers in the East Midlands can access affordable home ownership.

More than 30 developers have agreed to offer the HomeBuy Direct scheme which will help first time buyers purchase a home in 75 towns across the East Midlands aided by an equity loan, part funded by the Government and the developer. The equity loan, which will be free of charge for the first five years, can be used as a deposit and can cover up to 30 per cent of the purchase price.

This means a first-time buyer could purchase a house worth £180,000 for as little as £126,000. As with other HomeBuy schemes, any first-time buyers whose household income is under £60,000 who cannot otherwise afford to buy will be able to apply.

Communities and Local Government  - £18 million deal approved to buy further new homes for affordable housing
An £18 million deal to provide more affordable housing and help support industry is being announced today, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the housing market. 

Communities and Local Government  - Funding announced for authorised gypsy and traveller sites in the East Midlands

Communities Minister Iain Wright announced the successful bidders for funding from the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant in 2008/9 to provide new pitches to reduce unauthorised camping, and help improve conditions on existing authorised sites. The funding enables local authorities and registered social landlords to provide new authorised pitches whose residents will pay rent, council tax and other utility bills.   The funding will help reduce the costs of enforcing against unauthorised sites - it is estimated that this costs local authorities around £18 million a year.  In the East Midlands £35,755 of Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant has been allocated to Leicester City Council to support refurbishment works on the Meynells Gorse site.

Faith in Affordable Housing  - The project's ecumenical partnership has been led by Housing Justice (a Body in Association with CTE) and includes representation from the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and the University of Gloucestershire. Faith in Affordable Housing  -   www.fiah.org.uk