More than £1,172,013 has been awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government for affordable homes in Swansea, says Swansea West Assembly Member Andrew Davies.

This week Deputy Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies announced that The Welsh Assembly Government has agreed a £15million deal with housing associations in local authority areas throughout Wales to deliver up to 300 new affordable homes.

Swansea West AM, Mr Davies, who is also Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery said:
"The Assembly has identified over £1 million for Swansea to increase housing provision, a figure second only to Cardiff. I'm sure we will all welcome these extra funds for our city at a time of financial uncertainty."

The Wales wide £15million is the first instalment of the £42million extra funding made available in December as part of the Assembly Government's response to the downturn in the housing market. The money will be used to buy unsold homes and plots from private contractors.

The ambitious housing programme will not only increase the supply of affordable homes but also help liquidity in the construction industry and keep people in jobs.

The extra money will go to registered social landlords, including housing associations, in the 22 local authority areas across Wales and allow local authorities and housing associations working in partnership to respond to the current economic situation.

Mr Davies said: "This announcement brings us a step closer to our 2007 manifesto pledge to provide an additional  6,500 new affordable homes. This money has allowed housing associations to buy unsold homes and plots from private contractors and kept people in work and supporting jobs.

"We will continue to look for more opportunities to bring us closer to our target and support the people of Swansea and Wales."