Affordable Housing – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage local authorities to increase the provision of family-sized affordable homes.
Grant Shapps: In setting out the framework for the Affordable Homes Programme, the Government have made clear that the programme must take account of local priorities, which in some areas will include the provision of family-sized homes. We will seek confirmation of local authority support for new supply proposals when schemes are identified or indicative proposals become firm. The new homes bonus will also encourage local authorities to meet the housing need in their areas, including the housing need of families, by matching the council tax for the following six years. Family homes will tend to be in a higher council tax band than smaller houses or flats. In addition, every affordable home built will receive an additional premium of £350 per year, up to around 36% more than for an equivalent market home.