Existing schemes will be topped up with £3bn of guarantee support for lenders promised in budget
The housing minister has set out how the government plans to support small housebuilders and the build-to-rent (BTR) sector using guarantees announced in the recent Budget.
At the end of last month, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that £3bn would be spent on housing guarantees to help builders access more accessible loans from banks and lenders.
Today Matthew Pennycook revealed that this money would be delivered through two previously existing schemes.
The Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme will be re-opened at the end of the year, with nearly £2bn of loan guarantees allocated to support BTR.
Meanwhile, investment in the ENABLE Build gurantee scheme, which supports smaller housebuilders, will be doubled to £2bn.
“SME housebuilders and Build to Rent operators have a crucial role to play in delivering the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes in this parliament,” said Pennycook.
“The significant additional support provided by our housing guarantee schemes will enable them to access low-cost loans and support the building of thousands of new homes across the country”.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, who has previously criticised the Labour government’s engagement with smaller builders, welcomed the announcement.
“SME house builders have a crucial role to play in helping to deliver the Government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years,” he said.
“In recent years, small house builders have faced a particularly difficult set of financial challenges. Diversification of the UK’s housing market is essential to deliver the number of homes needed.
“Today’s Government announcement providing greater support for small housebuilders is welcome news.
“For the Government’s plans to succeed, it will be crucial that this lending is available for those small house builders who need it most and can build the homes this country needs.”
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