£65m fund for self builders who will provide affordable homes

Communities under secretary made the surprise announcement at a fringe event at the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow, ahead of a formal statement from the government. 

The cash will be available to self builders who can commit to providing additional affordable homes on the site. 

They will be able to manage the homes themselves, or pass them on to a housing association. 

The new policy will also free them from s.106 agreements and community infrastructure levy charges. 

The money comes from the government’s £450 million of affordable home guarantees. 

The new commitment to supporting self build projects will also require local authorities to find and list suitable land and demands the Homes and Communities Agency free up any suitable sites they have.

The policy will be supported by Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4 show Grand Designs.

Mr Foster said: ‘Today I can announce that I’m making available £65 million to make help self builders who want to have on site the building of some affordable homes. 

‘And that I think is a great package, it will be a great stimulus to the self builders, it will also help to get more houses built and it will help with the affordable housing crisis.’

He did not set a timetable for the implementation of the policy, but said it was something government were commited to doing as soon as possible.