The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has invited JV North to take part in its official evaluation of the current affordable homes programme (AHP).
The project is being carried out by a group consisting of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Verian and Simetrica-Jacobs.
JV North, as a recipient of grant under the 2021-26 AHP and having built over 10,000 homes through numerous government funding programmes, has been asked to contribute.
Chair of JV North, John Bowker, said: “It is excellent recognition for JV North that we have been contacted to take part helping government understand and assess the successful areas of the current AHP and also where it can be improved going forward.
“Using members’ knowledge of delivering homes over many years and specifically during the 2021-26 programme, we can provide valuable insight for consideration and it is refreshing to see housing being asked to get involved.
“A key area we will be promoting is the need for government to change the way it views the sector when it comes to housebuilding.
“It should be treated as key part of the national infrastructure with funding for future AHPs being made available on an annual rolling basis instead of five-year terms.
“By doing so, we will avoid downturns in construction because concerns about future funding being available will be removed and it will also enable us to deliver bigger regeneration projects that will make a significant difference to communities.”
The evaluation aims to assess the extent the current AHP has achieved or made progress towards its objectives which are:
- Increase access to secure and decent homes for households who cannot otherwise afford to buy or rent a home at the market price – based on the assumption that outcomes related to affordable rents are achieved;
- Increase homeownership across England among those who might otherwise be unable to buy their own home – based on the extent to which outcomes relating to the new Shared Ownership model are achieved; and
- Enable positive impacts for wider communities and society – based on the achievement of housing supply and secondary outcomes such as improved health and wellbeing, access to employment opportunities and associated service provision.
The evaluation involves a mixed methods approach, comprising process, impact and economic value for money evaluation techniques.
The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research is leading strands of work which involve refining the programme ‘Theory of Change’; analysis of management and secondary data; and assessing the impact additionality of 2021-26 AHP in providing homes.