Huppert Welcomes Government Bonus For Affordable City Homes

MP Julian Huppert has welcomed government funding which will give Cambridge City Council hundreds of thousands of pounds this year to plan for and build more affordable homes.

The money comes through the New Homes Bonus, a multi-billion pound programme which rewards communities for accepting more house building in their areas. It includes an extra reward for building new, affordable homes and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.

Julian said: “Our city badly needs affordable housing to give people a chance to come off the social housing waiting lists.

“I am delighted that the government has recognised how Cambridge is growing and the need for houses that are within the reach of the average family rather than just those on high incomes.”

Cambridge City Council will receive £700,000 under the New Homes Bonus scheme in 2012/13 and for the next five years.

Julian added: “During 13 years of Labour government, Britain was facing a housing crisis as the number of affordable homes fell and waiting lists almost doubled.

“House building is already up a quarter under the coalition government and this is only the start.”

Catherine Smart, Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Housing said: “Money is needed to plan for and build the houses we desperately need.

“We have 7,000 people on our waiting list for social housing and there are even more who would like to buy their own homes but there are none available at prices they can afford.

“We need more of all kinds to be built but at the same time, we want the additional houses to be of quality and create areas that are of quality where people will be pleased to live.  Quality does not come cheap but this money will help."