Government launches £150m ‘Help to Build’ scheme

The government has announced plans for a £150m scheme to make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes.

The ‘Help to Build’ scheme will ensure that self and custom home building can become a realistic option to get onto the housing ladder through lower deposit mortgages.

It is part of the government’s wider Plan for Jobs as the new plans will also benefit small building firms.

The government has also announced £2.1 million in funding to help communities have a greater say in how their local area is developed. The fund will boost neighbourhood planning by giving additional support to local authorities in under-represented areas.

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. Communities are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

A further £330,000 is also available to councils wishing to pilot this approach to neighbourhood planning.

‘Building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but a mainstream, realistic and affordable option for people across the country,’ said housing secretary, Robert Jenrick.

‘That’s why we are making it easier and more affordable – backed by over £150m new funding from the government.

‘The scheme we have launched today will help the thousands of people who’d like to build their own home but who’ve not yet considered it or previously ruled it out,’ he added.

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