The Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities, published by Government last December outlines a substantially increased programme of investment in social and affordable housing measures for the period 2006-2008 involving the mobilization of some 23,000 new units of social housing. It is expected that local authorities will start/acquire in the region of 6,000 units per annum, with the balance to be commenced by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.
Over the period, it is expected that completions/acquisitions of social housing units by local authorities should rise from 4,735 units (excluding regeneration schemes) in 2005 to some 6,000 units by 2008. Completions by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector are expected to rise from 1,350 units in 2005 to about 1,700 units by 2008.
Further households will be assisted through the new Rental Accommodation Scheme and some 15,000 units of affordable housing are to be delivered over the same period. In total, we expect some 50,000 households to benefit from various social and affordable housing measures over the coming three years.