WAVERLEY Borough Council is expecting to provide more than 220 affordable homes, thanks to a £10 million funding allocation announced by The Housing Corporation. The announcement has been greeted with relief, after the council was forced to abandon plans for 350 extra new affordable homes for rent as a result of the "no" vote in the ballot over housing stock transfer. This Housing Corporation funding will allow registered social landlords in Waverley to invest in more than 100 new homes for rent, as well as more than 120 new homes, which will be available under the new shared-ownership initiative, New Build HomeBuy. Ken Reed, Waverley's portfolio holder for housing, said: "This is excellent news. I am delighted that The Housing Corporation responded to our need for affordable homes in Waverley. "This funding will contribute significantly to Waverley's aim of creating sustainable communities and providing homes for local people and key workers. "After the uncertainties caused by Waverley's tenants voting against the transfer of social housing stock, it comes as somewhat of a relief to know that there will still be investment in the borough's social housing." Mr Reed continued: "The council has more than 2,500 households on its housing register who cannot afford to meet their accommodation needs in the private sector. "Waverley is a very expensive area, with very high house prices. "The provision of extra rented housing and the HomeBuy scheme will meet a broad range of needs. "This new funding will help many people into desperately needed new homes."
