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Council's funding bid to build new housing
THE massive council housing shortage in Sheffield may be reduced - as the council is applying for funding to build more than 100 new properties, The Star can reveal.
The authority is bidding for around 5 million from the Government's Homes and Communities Agency for projects in Burngreave, Parson Cross, Beighton and Mosborough.
The council will also borrow another 5m on low-risk loans to fund the rest of the project. If the money can be obtained, the houses could be completed by March 2012.
The cash is now available because the Government has extended the deadline for homes qualifying by a year, after lobbying by the city's Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.
The bid is due to be agreed by the council's cabinet on October 28.
The Star revealed last month that Sheffield has one of the longest social housing waiting lists in the country.
More than 92,500 applicants are waiting for one of 59,300 properties owned by the council or housing associations to become free.
Coun Bob McCann, cabinet member for housing, said: "Providing more affordable homes in Sheffield is at the heart of the council's plans as we know how much local people need them. These houses would be built to some of the highest environmental standards in the country, meaning lower fuel bills for tenants."
Labour's housing spokesman, Coun Chris Weldon said: "This is brilliant news for Sheffield people. There is a huge shortage of affordable housing in Sheffield and the Government is making a lot of money available to councils to build more affordable homes.
"I'm very pleased indeed to learn that, although the Lib Dems had originally decided not to bid for extra money from the Government, following pressure from us they have changed their minds."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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