Andy Burnham is aiming to build at least 10,000 social-rented homes - 1,000 of them in Bury - before the end of this mayoral term in 2028.

The recently re-elected metro mayor said the affordable homes would be a significant step towards tackling the housing crisis within 10 years.

In addition Mr Burnham is asking for a suspension of the Right to Buy scheme which allows tenants a right to buy their social-rented homes under certain circumstances.

In a speech this week he said tackling the housing crisis without a suspension of the scheme is similar to trying to top up a bathtub without a plug in it.

Mr Burnham said: "There is no solution to the housing crisis unless you start to build homes for social rent and the commitment I am making is to build 10,000 homes for social rent, at least 1,000 of them in each of the Greater Manchester boroughs, by the end of my mayoral term. 

"I am asking my housing team to produce a detailed delivery plan for those 10,000 homes for social rent and to publish it before the end of the year."

Mr Burnham said: "Right to Buy is a disincentive to build homes because if public bodies know they are going to lose them they do not have an incentive to build homes. 

"This is an important part of the plan and I hope we will be able to put it in place."

Alongside the announcement on social-rented homes there was an update on the GM Good Landlord Charter announced at the start of this year. The metro mayor said all landlords would be able to apply for accreditation under the GM Good Landlord Charter this summer.

And the pilot of a plan to allow tenants the right to request a property check is coming to somewhere in the city region before the end of the year.

Mr Burnham said: "People have seen what we have done with the Bee Network and we are going to bring the same energy to the housing crisis. 

"None of our ambitions are achievable unless all of our residents have the foundation of a good, secure home. They cannot have a good life without a good, secure home and this is why we are adopting a housing first mentality across the city region."


This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.