Section 106 agreements, which underpin almost half of all affordable housing delivery, rely on housing associations purchasing discounted units from developers.<\/p>\n
But a \u201cperfect storm\u201d of economic pressures and policy uncertainty has seen providers pull back, leaving projects stranded and undermining the Government\u2019s five-year housing plan.<\/p>\n
Ninety HBF members has signed a letter to the housing minister warning that without urgent action, thousands of homes will remain unbuilt or empty.<\/p>\n
They called for greater use of \u201ccascade mechanisms\u201d to allow stalled affordable homes to be switched to other tenures, or for cash payments to councils in lieu of provision.<\/p>\n
\n
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the HBF, said: \u201cAgainst rising affordability pressures and increasing numbers of families living in temporary accommodation, it cannot be that Affordable Homes are left standing empty.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment\u2019s social and Affordable Housing announcements were a welcome step to giving Registered Providers confidence to plan long term, but they are doing little to ease the immediate constraints of delivering affordable housing through Section 106 agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, an estimated 100,000 private units are stalled, which not only threatens the supply of much-needed homes but also risks the livelihoods of regional businesses and hardworking tradespeople up and down the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile Government\u2019s housing announcements have been welcome, as it stands, housing associations are unable to bid and private buyers unable to buy, leaving the housing outlook increasingly uncertain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/RIB-Candy-Banner-Ad-Campaign_ConEnq.gif\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n