Plans to allocate £3.2 million for expediting housing projects were anticipated to gain approval from members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the 12th of October.
The aspiration is that this funding will hasten the construction of around 2,405 new, environmentally-friendly, and top-notch residences in the area. Among these, 481 are earmarked as much-needed affordable housing.
This initiative is a key facet of the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin’s drive to catalyse rejuvenation by bolstering housing development throughout the region.
It encompasses ventures in locales like Bradford City Village, Castleford Housing Zone, Dewsbury Riverside, Brighouse, and Leeds City Centre.
Dubbed the Housing Revenue Accelerator Fund, this financial injection will aid the region’s five local authorities in procuring the necessary workforce and preparatory site work, essential for expediting housing proposals.
This move follows the collaboration between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, earlier this year, aimed at ramping up the provision of thousands of additional homes in West Yorkshire.
Cllr Denise Jeffrey, Leader of Wakefield Council and Chair of the Place, Housing and Regeneration Committee, said; “This new scheme will support thousands of high-quality, sustainable homes in West Yorkshire.
“Having access to good quality housing is a fundamental human need, and we want to build on our partnership with Homes England to ensure everyone has a safe, sustainable, and affordable place to call home.
“We’re committed to working with our excellent housing providers to support our communities and make West Yorkshire a happier, more vibrant place to live.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said; “We want everyone in West Yorkshire to have a safe and secure place to call home.
“We’re using our devolved funding to build the high quality, sustainable and truly affordable homes that West Yorkshire needs.
“This will support our crucial work by laying the foundations for housing projects across the region.”
The scheme also strives to uphold higher energy efficiency standards, thereby increasing the count of sustainable residences in the area and assisting households in reducing their energy expenses.
