Building Better is calling on the government to give “explicit endorsement” on the benefits of delivering affordable housing using MMC.
As it launches its vision for the next year, the NHF-backed consortium of housing associations has urged the government to push the benefits of a cross-sector collaborative approach, something it says would allow costs to fall for all parties in the long run.
Further, it says clear government endorsement would encourage faster adoption of MMC through accelerated learning, developing pipeline opportunities for manufacturers, and by showing support at the highest level to providers who may still be anxious about a new approach.
Building Better’s other main demand is for the government to incentivise the development of new affordable MMC homes through an “additional grant”.
It says that up-front funding in the short-term will allow a pipeline to develop, which would in turn reduce costs and attract more social landlords.
Building Better said: “We believe the sector can double its output of MMC homes every year until 2025, from 900 in 2019 to more than 22,000 by 2025.
“As the process for MMC homes is quicker, simpler, and allows rent to be realised sooner, there is also the potential for this figure of more than 22,000 homes to be additional to projected build numbers.”
It added that Building Better homes will “meet the highest sustainability and safety criteria”, anticipating that homes will be delivered 50% faster than traditional build, aim for zero defects, and have higher customer satisfaction levels.
Housing association perspective
Tom Casey, director of Development and Sales at Golding Homes, weighed in on the launch, saying: “We are excited to be a key partner of Building Better, which promotes the delivery of high-quality and environmentally sustainable homes through the use of Modern Methods of Construction.”
Golding Homes recently completed its first MMC scheme at The Mallards development with Keepmoat Homes in Swanley, Kent. The houses at The Mallards were delivered to site from the Ilke Homes factory and craned into place.
Tom Casey explained: “The factory production enabled quicker completion of the affordable housing. We’ve had some good customer feedback so far, and are pleased that the homes have a range of sustainable features that are leading to lower utility bills for residents.”
Building Better is backed by housing associations including Catalyst and Metropolitan Thames Valley – as well as organisations such as the National Federation of Housing.
The Building Better housing associations pooling their pipeline and sharing best practice are:
- Advantage South West
- BPHA
- Catalyst
- Golding Homes
- Grand Union
- Halton Housing
- Livewest
- Metropolitan Thames Valley
- Nottingham Community Housing Association
- Raven Housing Trust
- Richmond Housing Partnership
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