There has been widespread national, regional, broadcast and social media coverage of the government’s announcement of the first wave of funding from the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
The government confirmed almost £10 billion will be allocated to councils, housing associations and other providers outside London to support the delivery of more than 70,000 new social and affordable homes, with the majority of homes available for social rent.
The announcement forms part of the government’s wider commitment to deliver 300,000 social and affordable homes and help families stuck in temporary accommodation or on housing waiting lists access a safe and secure home.
National newspapers
The i Paper prominently splashed the announcement on its front page, reporting that more than 70,000 homes will be built to help tackle the housing crisis and reduce the growing costs of temporary accommodation for councils. The paper carried an interview with the Housing Secretary, highlighting the government’s focus on council and social housing and describing the announcement as a significant shift towards delivering more genuinely affordable homes.
The Mirror also reported positively on the announcement, focusing on the first £10 billion allocation and the Prime Minister’s call to “build this country out of a housing crisis”.
The Independent described the investment as a “council house comeback” and reported on the government’s ambition to increase the supply of social and council housing.
The Times covered the regional allocations, reporting that London will receive more than £6 billion and highlighting substantial funding for mayoral areas across England.
The Financial Times and Guardian highlighted support from the housing sector. The Financial Times carried comments from National Housing Federation chief executive Kate Henderson, who described the allocation as “a major vote of confidence in not-for-profit housing associations and in the vital and distinct role they play”, and the Guardian carried an exclusive SoS quote that she ‘knows firsthand that access to a secure, affordable home can be a lifeline for families up and down the country.’.
National broadcast
The announcement featured prominently across national broadcasters, including BBC News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 Today, Sky News, ITV News, ITV Good Morning Britain, Times Radio and LBC, following a series of ministerial interviews.
BBC News reported that more than 70,000 social and affordable homes will be delivered through the first allocations from the programme. Coverage focused on the scale of housing need, with contributions from families living in temporary accommodation and housing charities calling for further action to increase supply.
The report included comments from the Secretary of State, who said councils are eager to build more homes and that the government is committed to supporting them to do so. The BBC News package ran across online, socials, broadcast as well as Newscast.
ITV News similarly reported that funding would support the delivery of over 70,000 homes across England, with a large proportion available for social rent. The coverage highlighted the role of councils, housing associations and strategic partners in delivering homes at scale, while also discussing wider challenges facing the housing sector.
Across broadcasters, there was significant focus on homelessness, housing waiting lists and the need for more social housing, alongside discussion of how the funding could help reduce the number of families living in temporary accommodation.
Social media
Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa published an interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner on Instagram discussing the government’s housing programme and the importance of increasing social and council housebuilding.
In the interview, the Secretary of State described the investment as part of the government’s determination to tackle the housing crisis, reduce the number of children growing up in temporary accommodation and increase the supply of social and council homes.
Across Instagram and TikTok, ITV News posted two clips from interviews with Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook following the Social and Affordable Homes Programme announcement. The videos focused on government plans to deliver more than 70,000 social and affordable homes, with 60% for social rent, while responding to questions on eligibility for social housing and whether Labour remains on track to meet its target of building 1.5 million homes over the Parliament.
Regional coverage
There has been extensive positive regional coverage focusing on local funding allocations and the number of homes expected to be delivered.
The Manchester Evening News and BBC North West highlighted almost £1 billion of funding for the North West, including more than £529 million for Greater Manchester to support around 4,000 social and affordable homes. Coverage featured comments from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook and regional leaders on tackling homelessness and increasing housing supply.
The Liverpool Echo reported on funding for the Liverpool City Region, where around 3,100 homes are expected to be delivered through the programme.
In London, BBC London dedicated significant coverage to the capital’s £6 billion allocation. The programme featured interviews with Minister Pennycook and Mayor Sadiq Khan, alongside residents and housing campaigners, focusing on the need for more affordable housing and the challenge of meeting demand.
Elsewhere, outlets including the Evening Standard, Telegraph & Argus, Express & Star, Yorkshire Live, Chronicle Live and other regional titles covered local funding allocations and reported supportive comments from regional mayors and housing stakeholders.
Across regional media, coverage largely focused on the number of homes expected to be delivered in each area, the benefits for families on housing waiting lists, and the role the funding could play in addressing local housing pressures.
Secretary of State Angela Rayner said:
“Families can’t be left raising children without a place to call home, and none of us should spend years waiting for somewhere safe and affordable to live.
“I know how important fixing this is – because I’ve been there. A safe and secure home was the foundation for a better life - I couldn’t have got to where I have today without it.
“That’s why the Prime Minister and I are doing everything we can to get councils building once again – it’s fundamental to turning the housing crisis around, helping families out of temporary accommodation and into a secure home.”
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