§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to encourage shared or part ownership arrangements to make housing more affordable; and if he will make a statement. [144097]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the important contribution that shared ownership schemes can play in making home ownership affordable for people on modest incomes. The Home Ownership Task Force, which reported on 13 November, has proposed 45 recommendations to assist in the delivery of affordable housing, including improvements to the operation of the shared ownership scheme. We are considering the recommendations and will respond in the new year.
Government funding for shared ownership is provided by the Housing Corporation through grants to registered social landlords. Around 13 per cent. of the Corporation's Approved Development Programme in 2003–04 (total programme £1.2 billion) will be spent on home ownership initiatives, including shared ownership and the Homebuy equity loan scheme. In 2002–03 over 4,000 affordable homes were provided through the shared ownership and Homebuy schemes.
In addition the £250 million Starter Home Initiative is helping key workers into home ownership primarily through equity loan and shared ownership arrangements. Almost 6,000 key workers have so far benefited from the programme.
From April 2004, the new key worker housing programme will help key workers, both first-time buyers and those wishing to trade-up, in areas of high housing costs. The options available to key workers through the scheme will include equity loan and shared ownership arrangements. Full details of the operation of the scheme will be announced by the beginning of March.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers local authorities have to ensure an appropriate social mix in housing development; what guidelines he has issued to local authorities on the exercise of these powers; and if he will take steps to give local authorities additional powers in this regard. [144098]
§ Keith HillPlanning Policy Guidance note 3: "Housing" (March 2000) requires local planning authorities to provide wider housing opportunity and choice, and a better mix in the size and type of housing than is currently available.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recently published for consultation proposed changes to the current policies on planning for housing mix set out in 855W PPG3. The consultation document "Influencing the size, type and affordability of housing" proposes that local planning authorities should ensure their policies for residential development, including for affordable housing, widen housing choice and encourage better social mix. It proposes new policy which would allow local planning authorities, where appropriate local plan policies are in place, to reject developments that conflict with the objective of widening housing choice.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the housing allocation was for each local authority in each of the last five years; and how many houses were built by each authority in each of those years. [144201]
§ Keith HillDetails of annual housing capital allocations made to local authorities in England are available in the Library of the House. Information on new housebuilding carried out by local authorities can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website (under "housing/housing statistics/publications") and, for years up to 2000–01, in "Local Housing Statistics".