Housing Minister John Healey has confirmed a further boost for affordable housing with almost £250 million to provide 3,400 affordable homes and create around 5,000 jobs.

Every region of the country will receive funding which is shared between 43 housing associations and other bodies operating across 97 local authority areas.

Mr Healey said: "We are ready to use the power of Government and the benefit of public investment to help the country pull through recession by building the homes people need and creating the jobs that keep people in work.

-- Advertisement --

"The £250 million funding I am announcing today will help tackle the shortage of affordable homes across the country, so associations can build the homes that families need. It will also provide a much needed shot in the arm for construction jobs.

"I gave the green light for the biggest council building programme for nearly two decades with nearly £250 million public investment. Together we'll now see nearly 5,400 new affordable homes built across England, with work on many sites starting this year."

All the new homes will be affordable said the Minister with more than four in five built for low cost rent and the rest for first time buyers.

(CD/BMcC)