Two new garden towns are being supported with £1.1 million of new funding that will help deliver thousands of homes for aspiring homeowners.
Didcot in Oxfordshire and North Essex will be home to new communities that between them are set to provide up to 50,000 new homes, supported by new infrastructure.
The proposals, which have been supported by local leaders, include plans for an additional 15,000 homes by 2031 in Greater Didcot Garden Town and new Garden Communities in North Essex with up to 35,000 new homes.
The money will fund initial work that will enable high quality homes, new transport improvements, good schools, jobs and community amenities to be delivered in a strategic and sustainable way.
Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis said: "I’ve been really impressed by the level of ambition and vision shown by Didcot and North Essex and their determination to deliver new sustainable communities.
"We are determined to support communities that are eager to boost the number of homes in their areas to meet local need and this money will help get work up and running quicker."
The new garden towns announcement comes as the Prime Minister said that Shared Ownership will open the door to 175,000 more aspiring homeowners.
Radical changes to Shared Ownership rules will remove old fashioned barriers to home ownership. Those already in a shared ownership property will be able to move to another shared ownership home – putting an end to restrictions that stopped them using the scheme more than once.
The re-invigorated scheme will allow these homeowners to use the capital they have gained to move to a bigger property, as their families grow or circumstances change.
The measures are part of the government’s commitment to creating 1 million more homeowners over the next five years. This boost to home ownership comes as a number of Housing Association tenants in Oxfordshire are now able to begin the process for owning their home and making use of the voluntary Right to Buy.
David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “We are delighted that the Government is opening up home ownership to even more people. Housing associations are committed to increasing the number of shared ownership homes we offer, on top of the 275,000 we have delivered to date.
"We look forward to working in partnership with the Government to build the homes this country needs.”
