HBF launches manifesto for next Greater Manchester mayor

The next mayor of Greater Manchester must accelerate housing delivery and improve affordability across the region, according to the Home Builders Federation.

Ahead of the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on July 30, the HBF has published a new manifesto outlining the actions it expects from the incoming mayor to also support economic growth in the area.

HBF said that as one of England's most established combined authorities, Greater Manchester “is well placed to become the national model for how strategic planning and devolved decision-making can unlock new homes, investment and jobs”.

It also stressed the region’s “unique opportunity” to lead on housing delivery and demonstrate effective devolution to address the housing crisis, bolstered by new prime minister and former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s focus on his new “Number 10 North" department.

According to HBF’s analysis, if Greater Manchester were to achieve its new annual standard method housing target of 14,400 homes, it would each year:

• Support 50,000 jobs
• Generate £3.2 billion in economic activity
• Deliver £650 million of investment in affordable housing
• Generate £90 million of investment in new infrastructure, including £40 million for new and improved schools
• Support more than £400 million of …