CIH responds to announcement of First Homes initiative

Following this morning’s announcement of First Homes initiative by housing secretary Robert Jenrick, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) chief executive Gavin Smart responds.

“We understand that the government is keen to support households to access home ownership; this is an ambition we support. But it must not be at the expense of providing much needed affordable rented homes for households with lower incomes.

“The planning system is currently a major mechanism for delivering new affordable homes for rent. If these proposals are implemented, the government must put in place alternative mechanisms and funding to support the continued provision of the affordable rented homes that are needed across the county.

“CIH will be responding in detail to the consultation, to make sure the government has the fullest evidence base, so any new initiative contributes to our objective of making housing work for everyone.”

You can read and respond to the consultation here. It’s open until 3 April.

Kindly shared by The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)