The figures show that 12,569 new homes were started on site through HCA-managed programmes in the six month period between 1 April and 30 September, with 9,970 of those for affordable rent or sale. This is an increase of over 200% on the same period last year.
Affordable housing completions were reported to be slightly lower compared to last year, with 8,314 completions in the first six months of 2013 compared to 9,879 in April to September 2012. The HCA said this was due to the ending of the FirstBuy programme which added 3,499 completions to last year’s total.
“Our standard programme profile sees delivery increase in the second half of the year, and as starts on site are up significantly on the same period last year, this puts us in a strong position in building a pipeline of completions for delivery by March 2015," said HCA chief executive Andy Rose in a statement.
"We are currently on track to deliver our contribution to Government’s aspiration of 170,000 new affordable homes by 2015. However, it is imperative that we have the support of partners on the ground in meeting their contractual commitments under the Affordable Homes Programme and continuing to deliver at pace,” Rose added.
