Government backing to help provide more than 100 homes for affordable rent

A £12m boost for two of Sheffield City Council’s affordable housebuilding programmes will help deliver new council homes in the city.

The grant, awarded through the Homes England Affordable Housing Programme, will support plans to increase council housing provision and homes for social rent at two sites in the city.

It is part of the council’s ambition to provide up to 1,000 new affordable council homes by 2029.

At the council’s Newstead development in the Birley area, the £12m will help it provide 41 homes and 36 flats for general needs at social rent and a further 35 houses will be delivered at Corker Bottoms, just off the Sheffield Parkway.

The council is also bringing forward proposals for 12 houses for shared ownership at Corker Bottoms, alongside partners at Sheffield Housing Company.

The council’s Finance and Performance Committee will meet on 17 March to formalise accepting the grant.

Sheffield City Council stresses “demand for social housing has never been higher.”

Councillor Tom Hunt, leader of the council, said: “Across the city we are working hard to increase the number of new homes in our city.

“Good quality homes are fundamental for enabling everyone to live happy, healthy lives.

“The government and Homes England have taken extremely significant, positive action to support councils to increase the building of council housing.

“Council homes transform lives and this grant will support our partnership working to increase affordable housing in city.”

Cllr Douglas Johnson, chair of the council’s Housing Policy Committee, said: “Sheffield City Council is proud to be one of the country’s largest social landlords.

“Council housing is a vital public service and creating good quality housing that people can afford is something we very much want to do.

“This funding will allow us to keep the rents on 112 new homes at social rent levels, significantly lower than market rents.

“Grants like this help us give tenants secure homes that families can afford for the long-term.”

Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of Homes England, added: “Increasing the supply of quality affordable homes, working hand-in-glove with local leaders and communities, is a huge part of what we do as the government’s housing and regeneration agency.

“Understanding the needs of local communities is vital and we’re happy to be supporting Sheffield City Council to achieve their ambitions, including their aim to create up to 1,000 new affordable homes by 2029.”