£180million more announced for council housing

The government has announced it will put an extra £180million investment for local authority house building.Speaking today Housing Minister John Healey said the money will finance a first wave of construction of 1,200 council homes, that could also create as many as 3000 jobs.

Councils were invited to bid for the funding, and were assessed on jobs created, plus contribution to cutting carbon emissions and reducing energy costs.

Healey said"I am launching a second round of funding for councils that are ready to help build the new affordable rented homes we need in this country...I'm inviting bids by the end of next month....And before Christmas I aim to give the go ahead to a £180 million programme to build an extra 1,200 council homes."