Recommendation 15

First Homes, and previously Starter Homes, are aimed at people who want to own their own home and have an income, as the schemes require applicants to raise a mortgage. They are not schemes intended to help house people in temporary accommodation or who are homeless. We asked the Department how it was addressing the needs of these groups. The Department explained that the £12.2 billion Affordable Homes Programme contained other types of new housing supply which were intended to meet a variety of housing needs and circumstances.41 The Department explained how diversity of housing supply was key to building out sites and increasing rates of take up of new housing (the rate at which new housing is absorbed by the local market). Take up increases if a broader range of housing types appeals to a broader range of those in housing need.42 34 Qq 61, 66–67 35 Q 65 36 Q 67 37 Qq 54, 64 38 Q 55 39 Q 56 40 Qq 56, 58–59 41 Qq 88–89 42 Qq 94–96 Starter Homes 13