Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled the latest Spending Review on Wednesday, setting out the government’s fiscal plans for the coming years. A key announcement was a commitment of billions of pounds to boost the construction of affordable homes across the UK.
Is affordable housing in your area truly within reach for low-income families? Should the focus be on council housing, shared ownership, or social rent options? Share your thoughts below and join the discussion.
Over the next decade, the government plans to invest £39 billion to increase the supply of affordable and social housing, supporting its target to build 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament. Reeves emphasized that everyone deserves “the security of a proper home,” framing this investment as a vital step to combat the ongoing housing crisis.
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This funding will be allocated to councils and social housing providers through a competitive application process, according to reports from the Mirror. Industry leaders have welcomed the announcement. Kate Henderson, CEO of the National Housing Federation, described it as, “a transformational package for social housing that will create the right conditions for a decade of renewal and growth.”
Mairi MacRae, Director of Campaigns and Policy at Shelter, called the increased investment “a watershed moment” in addressing the housing emergency, offering hope to reverse years of neglect and start a new chapter for housing in the UK.
The scheme will cover a variety of affordable housing types including shared ownership, affordable rent, social rent, and first homes.
The housing crisis affects communities nationwide, leaving many young workers and low-income families trapped in rental markets where saving for a deposit feels out of reach. Some live in poor, unsafe conditions or crowded houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Experts stress that social housing should be the central priority for this new funding. Shelter revealed that under the current Affordable Homes Programme (AHP), 74,000 grant-funded affordable homes were delivered by March 2024. Yet only 11,000 of these—about 15%—were truly affordable social rent homes.
Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa voiced caution, saying, “This announcement has potential, but without explicit social housing targets, it risks becoming another unfulfilled promise for the families who need it most.”
Now we want to hear from you. Is the affordable housing available where you live genuinely affordable for people on low incomes? Do you think more council houses, shared ownership, or social rent properties are needed? Join the conversation and share your experience below.