The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has confirmed that it has finished a thorough assessment of the 270 stalled housing schemes shortlisted to receive funding under the Kickstart Programme.

A total of 91 schemes have been approved for funding, with another 63 approved subject to conditions being met or requiring further consideration.

As a result £207 million will now be allocated to directly fund 6,618 new and affordable homes.

A further £241 million could be allocated for 5,144 homes, to those schemes which have been approved subject to conditions.

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Eighty-one schemes were either withdrawn by the developer because of the need to complete homes by March 2011, or because they no longer felt the need for public sector support. Of those which were withdrawn, over half have been resubmitted for funding under Kickstart Round 2, where the timescale for the completion of homes is longer.

Thirty-five schemes were not approved for funding as they did not meet the HCA's criteria for the Programme, particularly on design and value for money grounds.

Chief Executive of the HCA, Sir Bob Kerslake said: "I am delighted that the HCA has been able to play such a major role in unlocking key housing schemes across the country.

"The due diligence process has been a thorough and challenging one for all involved but I am pleased that so many good schemes have been confirmed.

"We now look forward to completing the contracts and getting starts on site," he concluded.

(CD/BMcC)