New homes and local job creation should go hand in hand as the key to creating thriving communities the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) said, as it welcomed Government's announcement of £180m for Round 2 of its Local Authority New Build Programme.

The Agency also announced that 12 additional Local Authority schemes would receive a total of £13.5m under Round 1 of the Programme.

Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the HCA, said: "This second round of funding will add substantially to the number of new affordable homes local councils have already signed up to deliver.


"Homes and jobs should go hand in hand. Incorporating apprenticeships and other local labour initiatives is part of the HCA's role in creating thriving communities and is a perfect fit with helping councils achieve ambitions for their own areas.

"I am also pleased that with a bit of extra work we have got another 12 schemes across the finishing line for Round 1.

"It puts us in an increasingly healthy position for delivery," he said.

The Local Authority New Build Programme was first announced in April, with £100 million announced in the Budget. A further £360 million was announced through the Housing Pledge in June.

The successful Local Authorities under Round 1 of the Programme were announced earlier this month with 205 schemes receiving a share of £127m to build homes on council owned land, with priority given to schemes that offered higher energy efficiency standards.

(CD/BMcC)