Number of affordable homes in East of England 'soaring' » Housing » 24dash.com

More affordable homes have been provided in the East of England in the last two years than in any previous two-year period, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) revealed today.

More than 10,700 affordable homes have been made available to individuals and families in the region who cannot afford to buy on the open market between 2006 and 2008.

This figure exceeds the Government's target of 9,750 new affordable homes by almost 1,000.

A 38% increase in affordable homes has been delivered during 2006-2008 from the last two year period, where 7720 affordable homes were delivered in the region during 2004-2006.

The affordable homes have been delivered based on local housing need and applications for funding from local authorities, developers and housing associations.

And with mortgage approvals in March hitting the lowest level since current records began in January 1999, it will be welcome news to many that EERA intends to keep the delivery of affordable homes at the top of its agenda for the foreseeable future.

Councillor Susan Barker, Chairman of EERA's Housing and Sustainable Communities Panel, said: "This is fantastic news for many residents in the East of England.

"With house prices still high and mortgage lenders becoming ever more cautious, the provision of affordable homes is vital in helping those priced out of the open market onto the property ladder.

"Government investment in the region has enabled local authorities, developers and housing associations to exceed targets and make a real difference by providing high quality affordable homes located within sustainable and inclusive communities.

"We have achieved a great deal, but there is still a big task ahead. Over the next three years until 2011, the Government's target for the region will be to deliver 23,700 affordable homes.

"This target, whilst challenging, still falls short if we are to meet the demand, with as many as 11,000 new affordable homes needed every year to do this."

Bedfordshire has delivered a succession of affordable housing projects and have beaten their regional affordable homes target.

Over 90 affordable homes have been delivered at the Queens Works scheme in Bedford and Betty Dodd Court in Luton will provide an additional 47 affordable one and two bedroom self contained apartments.

This development will meet 'extra care' standards, built with the needs of older people in mind with a range of care and support available on site.

The breakdown of affordable homes provision between 2007-2008 by each sub region is as follows:

Bedfordshire: 489
Cambridge: 1,219
Greater Norwich: 695
Haven Gateway: 1,092
London Commuter Belt: 1,718
Peterborough: 301
Rural East Anglia: 303
Thames Gateway: 457
Yarmouth & Waveney: 99
East of England total: 6,373