New housing strategy launched from Affinity Sutton site

 

Government launches new housing strategy at Affinity Sutton and Linden Homes scheme in Guildford

Prime Minister, David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, launched the Government's new housing strategy - Laying the Foundations: a Housing Strategy for England, at Affinity Sutton and Linden Homes' Boxgrove Gardens scheme in Guildford, earlier today.

The strategy aims to tackle the housing shortage, boost the economy, create jobs and give people the opportunity to get on the housing ladder.

The strategy was welcomed by staff at Affinity Sutton who were among the first to hear about the Government’s plans when the PM and Deputy PM addressed them during their visit.  The Prime Minister talked about the difficulties for young people today in buying their first home, with the average age of first time buyers now 37.  He also referred the need to get Britain building to provide much needed homes as well as details of a secure loan scheme for first time buyers of newly built homes.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that “This strategy is about jobs, homes and hope."

Keith Exford, Affinity Sutton, Chief Executive commented; “For some time now Government has talked about the important role of housing in helping to boost the economy.  Today’s visit and the launch of the Government’s new housing strategy are a positive step since any increased focus on the critical need for more housing in this country must be welcomed. However we remain concerned that the overall volume of new homes and in particular housing for those most in need is at an all time low. Although this housing strategy brings in some additional money and has measures such as the release of public land that will help foster more building, significantly greater funding will be required to ensure that we can  meet the soaring demand for affordable housing.

“As a business for social purpose we remain committed to developing new homes and our recent 3000 homes contract with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) along with our own funding will help us achieve this and help lay foundations for future generations.”

During the visit the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister also stopped off at the home of the White family. The family recently moved into their three bedroom Affinity Sutton social rented home at Boxgrove Gardens and are enjoying having a garden for the first time.  Also popping in for tea was the Purves family, who last week moved into one of the private for sale homes.

Boxgrove Gardens is a former DEFRA site and when complete will provide 200 new homes of which 70 are affordable for both social rent and part buy/part rent.  The scheme is being developed by Linden Homes and is less than a mile from Guildford High Street. All homes are built to level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

More information on the new housing strategy.