Insulation specialist Actis has welcomed the announcement last week of the first wave of funding from the government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP)
The first £9.58bn has been allocated to 39 housing associations, councils and regions in England, which should help fund the construction of 73,600 homes, 60% of which will be for social rent.
Of these, six are in the established mayoral strategic authorities of Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, the North East, West Yorkshire, the Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire.
Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper says the homes are desperately needed, and adds that the programme will help boost the economy by providing employment opportunities and training for young tradespeople coming into the industry.
“This will help thousands of people and families to establish a permanent home, which is not only essential for their own wellbeing, but for the benefit of society as a whole.”
He stresses that it’s vital that the homes are built to cope with extremes in temperature.
“This summer’s heatwaves highlight the importance of building homes which are thermally efficient – keeping heat in during the winter and out in the summer – to ensure the occupants are comfortable all year round.”
