Ministers have announced funding for 70,000 social and affordable homes across England over the next 10 years, as part of a £39bn social housebuilding programme, according to BBC. The first wave of funding will go to Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North East England and Liverpool, with £6bn allocated to London. Officials said 60% of the homes will be for social rent, and more than £16bn remains to be allocated outside London. The wider plan aims to deliver 300,000 social and affordable homes nationwide, while the government has also pledged to build 1.5 million homes by 2029. Housing charities welcomed the announcement but said it falls short of demand, while Conservatives called it an unfunded spending commitment.