Abena Oppong-Asare has urged the Government to accelerate allocations from England’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, in a call published on 9 October.
The Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead wants a significant share committed during this Parliament, with an emphasis on genuinely affordable homes for social rent.
Oppong-Asare chairs the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. Her intervention concerns the timing and priorities of spending within an existing programme, rather than a newly announced funding pot.
The programme covers 2026 to 2036. Government policy sets an ambition for at least 60 per cent of the homes it supports to be for social rent.
An initial allocation of £9.58 billion to 33 providers outside London has already been announced. The programme includes funding during its early years as well as later in the decade.
The question raised by the committee chair is how quickly further funding can support construction. Her call does not itself award grants or alter the programme’s allocation rules.
