Context
Social housing providers face difficulties in funding houses made available under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act. According to the National Housing Federation, thousands of homes are available but cannot be purchased due to resource constraints.
Question
I know that my hon. Friend is committed to increasing the provision of social housing. In the past few years, most social housing has been provided through section 106 agreements. However, according to the National Housing Federation, thousands of houses around the country are available but cannot be purchased under section 106 agreements because registered social landlords simply do not have the resources. I am sure that he is aware of that problem, but does he have any plans to deal with it and bring those houses, which are badly needed, back into use?
Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
The Government recognise the ongoing challenge posed by the reduced appetite of registered providers of social housing to buy affordable homes delivered under section 106 agreements. The Homes England section 106 affordable housing clearing service was launched on December 12 alongside the revised national planning policy framework, aimed at supporting buyers and sellers of section 106 homes to find each other more effectively. We are calling on all developers with uncontracted section 106 affordable homes, as well as providers and local planning authorities, to engage proactively with this new service. We will consider what further measures may be necessary based on data from the service.
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