17 June 2005
Housing associations and private developers will have to build eco-friendly homes to receive a share of more than £3.3bn in grants over the next two years.
The Housing Corporation has confirmed that its 2006/08 development programme, renamed the National Affordable Housing Programme, is likely to exceed the £3.3bn handed out in grants in 2004/06. A final figure will be announced in the next few months.
Launching a pre-prospectus on June 8, the corporation revealed that the estimated 70,000 properties built will need to meet the eco-homes 'very good' standard – requiring a 26% cut in carbon dioxide emissions compared with typical new homes.
They will also have to achieve at least 60 eco-points out of 100, compared with an average score of 36 under 2002 building regulations.
Jon Rouse, the corporation's chief executive, said it was putting down a new marker. 'It is up to the whole construction industry to rise to the challenge and create real change,' he said.
It will be the first time that developers have bid against registered social landlords for grants on this scale, although non-RSLs are included in a £200m pilot programme this year. In 2004/06, most grants were received by 70 large RSLs under a new partnering approach.
Successful bidders in 2006/08 will also have to demonstrate effective procurement policies.
PFjun2005
