Reaction: infrastructure is Autumn Statement's 'hidden gem' for housing

Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation

?Infrastructure spending is housing delivery?s silver bullet and the considerable commitment to invest about ?2bn a year is therefore very welcome. The ?1.7bn for accelerated construction on public land will also help upscale the modular construction sector, meaning a more efficient industry and the faster delivery of homes.

?We are also looking forward to the Housing White Paper and the policies that government is working on. We desperately need far more homes and the build-to-rent sector is there to support government meet that objective. Most large-scale build-to-rent landlords do not charge tenants fees and therefore they will not be particularly perturbed by the chancellor?s announcement, but what is banned and how it works in practice will need carefully working through.

?One big disappointment is the continued stamp duty surcharge on institutional build-to-rent housing, which sends out the wrong signals when those institutions are willing to invest billions of pounds on the new homes that we need.?

David Orr, chief executive, National Housing Federation

?We have been calling on the government to relax restrictions on existing affordable housing funding, so we are delighted with this announcement.

?Increased flexibility and extra investment will give housing associations the freedom and confidence to build even more affordable homes, including for rent, more quickly across the country.

?This extra investment in affordable housing demonstrates the strong relationship that housing associations have with the new government.

?The decision to change the tapers in Universal Credit is welcome and a positive move for households which are just about managing. However, we will be raising our concerns with government about the changes to the Local Housing Allowance cap for those receiving Universal Credit from 2019.

?We look forward to working with government and our members to develop a regional Voluntary Right to Buy pilot that works for housing associations and their tenants.?

Terrie Alafat CBE, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Housing

?Given the scale of our housing crisis the central focus on housing in the government?s Autumn Statement today is a significant step in the right direction.

?The measures announced demonstrate this is a government which recognises housing is a key part of our infrastructure and that it brings economic benefits. It also shows this is a government which is serious about its commitment to help the many thousands of people struggling to get access to a decent, affordable home.

?The extra investment to support the building of 40,000 new affordable homes and the greater flexibility in funding for housing providers to build homes of all tenures, both of which we had asked for, are particularly welcome. It is also pleasing to see large-scale investment in infrastructure to support new housebuilding.

?We would, however, have liked to see more to support people who need housing the most, with more funding diverted specifically to support social rents and a strategic rethink on welfare measures we believe make housing inaccessible to a significant number of individuals and families.?

Stephen Howlett, chief executive, Peabody

?We are encouraged by the commitment to boost productivity and infrastructure, particularly in improving transport connectivity and digital networks.

?Increasing the minimum wage and supporting people on Universal Credit will also be of benefit in supporting people into work and to those on lower incomes. There is more to do and we look forward to the reforms which will be set out in the forthcoming Housing White Paper.?

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman, Home Builders Federation

?The measures detailed in the Autumn Statement are another step in the right direction and should help the housebuilding industry to build on recent increases in output.

?In the past three years housing supply has increased by 52% and money to deliver more affordable housing will help to broaden the supply base even further. We welcome the moves to increase and align wider public spending on infrastructure to unlock housing supply in areas where homes are desperately needed.

?As well as helping to support a healthier housing market these new homes will create tens of thousands of new jobs. The commitment to Help to Buy, so critical to demand and thus supply, was also positive.?

Lord Porter, chairman, Local Government Association

?It is positive that the chancellor has recognised our calls for the government to invest in the building of new affordable homes to rent and buy, and in infrastructure that is linked to housing growth. Councils must be able to shape investment to ensure it helps build the right homes in the right places.

?Only an increase of all types of housing ? including those for affordable or social rent ? will increase affordability and make it easier for working families to save for a deposit to buy their first home.

?If we are to stand any chance of solving our housing crisis, the government?s forthcoming housing strategy must hand councils the powers and funding to resume their historic role as a major builder of affordable homes. Councils must be given a leading role in the building of the new homes that are needed and help people live healthy and happy lives and build strong communities.?

Sinaed Butters, chair, Placeshapers and chief executive Aspire

?The housing crisis requires bold actions and today?s announcement of additional grant funding for new affordable homes of all types is a welcome move in the right direction.?This, along with other moves to help the ?just managing? such as the banning of lettings fees in the private rented sector, the decision not to enforce ?pay to stay? and concessions on the rate at which benefits are withdrawn from in-work households, confirms that the new administration is listening and willing to change direction when so obviously needed.?

?There?s always more to do, more to lobby on such as the LHA cap and funding for supported housing. ?But for now, for today, our key message is, we asked for flexibility in funding to be able to provide new genuinely affordable rented homes alongside home ownership programmes and for more investment to support this, and we?ve got it.?