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Funding for new social homes welcome, but a pipeline of talent needed to help deliver these – RIBA says

The announcement by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the government is providing £2 billion to deliver 18,000 new social and affordable homes has been welcomed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) (25 March 2025).

25 March 2025

“With 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists, there is a desperate need to build more social housing. Therefore, today’s funding is encouraging. 

However, there is still much more to be done to meet the scale of the housing need and make up for the decades’ long decline in the provision of social housing. Innovative new funding models, such as those outlined in our report, Foundations for the Future, provide one means to help deliver the homes we urgently need.  

But we must ensure there is a pipeline of talent to design these homes. The continued funding for Level 7 architecture apprenticeships is key to this, which is why it’s critically important the government keeps this in place to bolster the housing and infrastructure workforce of the future.  

We continue to work with the government in its aim to boost social and affordable housing delivery up and down the country.”   

RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki 

Ends

Notes to editors:

  1. Media contact: Nancy.Ludwig@riba.org
  2. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities, and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on X/Twitter for regular updates.

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