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The Government should count investment in social housing as infrastructure spending, rather than day-to-day spending.

Recommendation
The Government should count investment in social housing as infrastructure spending, rather than day-to-day spending. Evidence shows that spending on a long-term social housebuilding programme pays back to the Exchequer over time. Furthermore, such a programme could be counter-cyclical, both protecting and creating jobs during a wider housing downturn caused by COVID-19 economic uncertainty.
Paragraph Reference
89
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
We have launched the new Affordable Homes Programme, which overlaps with the current programme, to give providers certainty and the confidence to commit to new developments and maintain the provision of affordable homes. While the main funding ends in 2026, delivery will continue beyond this time to complete the homes started and £2 billion of this funding will continue to be used to test long term delivery through to 2028/29.
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.8 yrs
Report published 27 Jul 2020