The CML welcomes today's announcement by the Communities
Secretary on funding for affordable
housing, and the government's commitment to widen the
tenure choices for people who cannot afford to buy a
home outright. Government support for shared ownership as
one of the options is particularly welcome, following
publication late last year of CML-commissioned
research setting out a series of recommendations to
promote its development.
Commenting on today's announcement, CML director general
Paul Smee said:
"Today's announcement can deliver the tenure flexibility
that providers of social housing have been calling for, and
which will help address the housing affordability challenges
faced by many people today. Our recent research
reinforces the argument that shared ownership, for example, is
the only means of buying for some would-be home-owners.
"As ever, the CML stands ready to help develop schemes that
lenders can support. In pushing forward with its
plans, the government needs to strike the right balance
between widening tenure options and introducing schemes that are
workable for lenders and avoid unnecessary complexity.
We look forward to seeing more details in the forthcoming
housing white paper, and to working with the government in
addressing the UK's housing challenges."
