Aid for families in critical need of housing is on the way through increased support for mayors to ensure appropriate housing developments in their localities.

Regional mayors will now have enhanced authority to advise builders on the necessary types of housing for their communities, such as homes for the elderly, high-rise apartments, or council housing.

Today, mayors from six regions have received proposed budgets from the Government’s significant £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

This initiative will empower mayors, in collaboration with Homes England, to formulate essential housing strategies for their regions, aiding housing providers in their funding applications due in February.

Recently, Housing Secretary Steve Reed engaged with social and affordable housing providers to encourage ambitious funding proposals within the program.

In an interview with the Mirror, Reed emphasized the urgency of addressing housing shortages, homelessness, and insecure housing situations, advocating for increased construction of social housing.

Reed stressed the importance of empowering local leaders, including mayors and councils, to make decisions on housing developments based on their knowledge of community needs.

According to the proposed budgets, Greater Manchester is set to receive the highest allocation at £1.8 billion, followed by the West Midlands at £1.6 billion, the North East at £1.1 billion, and West Yorkshire at £1 billion. Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire would each receive £700 million.

These budget estimates are preliminary, allowing mayors to begin early planning, with the possibility of increased funding based on official bids.

While indicative spending plans have been disclosed for the six leading authorities, funds will be distributed nationwide, with London already allocated £11.7 billion over ten years.

Sarah Elliott, CEO of Shelter, emphasized the urgent need for affordable social housing to address the housing crisis and reduce homelessness, calling for increased targets for social rent delivery.

Elliott urged the government to set ambitious goals for social housing construction and collaborate with private developers to ensure a substantial increase in social homes built annually to effectively combat homelessness.