HOUSING will play a big role in helping Swindon’s economy recover from the pandemic.
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland met representatives of the Homes for the South West (H4SW) group of housing associations to discuss the need to support people with more high-quality affordable housing in South Swindon.

It is hoped that the extra properties would bring greater investment and economic activity to the area.

Mr Buckland said: “It was good to meet with Homes for the South West and discuss their plans for the area. Housing is the lifeblood of South Swindon and we need to ensure that we get the right balance to ensure people can afford to own their own home. 

“That’s why the government is investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over five years, which is the largest investment in a decade. I look forward to seeing the south west benefit from this investment.”

H4SW’s recently launched manifesto 'Building for the Future: Levelling up the south west’s economy with quality, affordable and sustainable housing' sets out a commitment to a £4 billion programme to deliver 25,000 new homes over the next five years. 

The manifesto includes a pledge to increase this by another 20,000 homes if the government can provide additional support.

Victor da Cunha, the Homes for the South West chair and CEO of Curo, said: “We were very pleased to meet with Robert Buckland to outline Homes for the south west’s contribution to the region and our future plans to help the area build back better. 

“We believe that more support for housing will be a key factor in enabling the region to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic, which is why we are committing to deliver 25,000 new homes over the next five years.”

Charles Pitt is the corporate affairs director for Sovereign.

He added: “It was fantastic to meet with Robert to discuss how housing associations such as Sovereign are working collaboratively with local stakeholders and other housing associations to deliver much needed affordable housing.

"We look forward to continuing to work with key stakeholders like Robert to support the regional economy and provide homes for people that need them most in great places live.”

The full manifesto from H4SW can be viewed at https://homesforthesouthwest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/H4SW-Building-for-the-Future-manifesto-May-2021.pdf