The Housing Corporation's National Clearing House has funded Bloor Homes and housing association Sanctuary Group to deliver 335 affordable homes with another potential 700 in the pipeline.

Following discussions with Bloor and Sanctuary during the summer, support was given to a wide range of proposed schemes.

Allocations have since been made to fund 335 homes across the country at a total social housing grant cost of £13 million.

The Housing Corporation is now in discussion with Bloor Homes about the submission of a next stage National Clearing House bid for some 700 homes which, if successful, will stimulate further construction activity which might otherwise not have proceeded.

Housing Corporation Director of Investment Richard Hill said: "The Housing Corporation is very pleased with the successful outcome of this early National Clearing House bid, and the constructive working relationship which has been forged with both Bloor Homes and Sanctuary Group. It is exactly what we were looking for when we launched this process.

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"The outcome of the initial bid has met a key objective of the National Clearing House process – that of adding to affordable housing delivery at the right price and offering a positive solution where developers have unsold stock available. The deal includes a significant proportion of family houses.

"Very importantly, the successful outcome of the initial bid will now allow us to move on and consider bids to build out schemes which may not otherwise have gone ahead - maintaining affordable housing supply and retaining capacity within the construction industry."

Bloor Homes Group Head of Affordable Housing Ken Allen said: "Bloor Homes is delighted with the relationship it has forged with the Housing Corporation and Sanctuary Group in progressing phase one. We have been most impressed with the speed of decision making and the approval process of all parties.

"This excellent working relationship and the ability of all involved to remain flexible in their approach, has been a key factor throughout. Facilitating the delivery of 335 affordable homes across 19 sites, located throughout the country, was certainly aided by the use of the National Clearing System, which gave us a central focal point to co-ordinate our discussions."

(CD/JM)