£150 million funding to kickstart ‘self building revolution’

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced new plans to make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes.

Backed by more than £150 million on new government funding, the ‘Help to Build’ scheme will ensure that self and custom home building can become a realistic option to get onto the housing ladder through lower deposit mortgages.

Lowering the required deposit will free up capital, so people can build the home that they want and need whether it’s a commissioned, made to order home, or a new design from scratch.

Made to order homes allow people to customise the home they want based on existing designs, including more office space, or a particular design to support a family’s requirements including for disabled or older people. Self and custom build could deliver 30-40,000 new homes a year.

The Prime Minister has commissioned Richard Bacon to lead a review on how the UK can scale up the delivery of self and custom build homes. The review will report its findings and recommendations in the summer.

Jenrick said: “Building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but a mainstream, realistic and affordable option for people across the country. That’s why we are making it easier and more affordable – backed by over £150 million new funding from the government.

“The scheme we have launched today will help the thousands of people who’d like to build their own home but who’ve not yet considered it or previously ruled it out. Our plans will help get more people on to the housing ladder, ensure homes suit people’s needs like home working or caring for relatives, whilst providing an important boost to small builders and businesses too.”