£45m boost for schemes to house city’s low earners

Schemes to create 1,772 homes affordable to low-earning Manchester people have been granted more than £45m.

Manchester City Council says the funding will help deliver the new homes at sites across the city up to 2021.

Manchester’s combined £45.351m grant, announced formally by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), was bid for by registered housing providers and social landlords, including Manchester City Council.

The funding will support the delivery of a range of two and three bedroom properties, as well as a range of adapted homes suitable for people with learning disabilities.

The city council, in partnership with Northwards Housing, the authority’s arm’s length property management organisation, will receive funding of £2.85m – that will create a total of 75 properties in north Manchester.

The funding comes as the authority revealed its Manchester specific housing affordability policy which aims to create up to 2,000 homes accessible to local people each year.

The scheme will help those people in the city who earn less than the average household income into secure and decent housing, across a range of tenures.

Cllr Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have set an ambitious target to deliver up to 2,000 homes that are affordable across the city each year. This will be a major challenge to ensure those whose income is lower than the city’s average can get decent and secure housing. This funding is a great boost for new homes in the city.”

Sue Abbott, chair of the board at Northwards Housing, said: “We’re delighted the £2.85m bid, made in partnership with the council, has been successful. There’s a very real need for more affordable, good quality accommodation in North Manchester. Northwards looks forward to the completion of the 75 new homes and supporting the families who will live in them.”