Justlife has welcomed new government funding expected to deliver tens of thousands of council, social and affordable homes across England.
The government has announced £9.58 billion for 33 councils, housing associations and other providers outside London. The first allocation from its ten-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme is expected to support 73,600 new homes, with nearly two-thirds intended for social rent.
The funding could help more families move out of temporary accommodation and into secure, affordable homes. Almost 180,000 children are currently growing up without a permanent home, with many families spending years in temporary housing.
Christa Maciver, Director of Campaigns and Social Change at Justlife, said:
“At Justlife, we believe temporary accommodation should only ever be used for the shortest possible time, with the safety and health of individuals, families and children protected.
“This much-anticipated funding for council homes and homes for social rent is an important step towards reducing the number of people stuck in temporary accommodation, often for years, and giving more people the security of a settled home.
“But these homes will take time to build. The hundreds of thousands of people living in temporary accommodation now cannot be left in limbo. Alongside new homes, we need urgent action to improve standards and support, so temporary accommodation does not damage people’s health and wellbeing while they wait.”
