Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has announced a £55 million deal which will provide nearly 800 homes for private renting in Greater Manchester.

The deal comes as part of the Government’s £1 billion Build to Rent scheme which aims to create 10,000 homes for private rent.

The fund is designed to help developers create large-scale quality homes and in this case developers Renaker will receive £55 million to build 779 new homes across two sites in Manchester and Salford.

Director of Renaker Daren Whitaker said he is delighted to have received funding support for the two city centre schemes which have already commenced.

“Each scheme has been meticulously planned and designed to deliver new and highly aspirational places to reside,” said

“Construction is progressing on both sites to schedule and will provide 779 new high quality homes in two extremely desirable central Manchester locations.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis hopes that the project will help improve both the rental sector and the construction industry, both vital to their long term economic plan.

“Millions of people use the flexible option of renting so I’m determined to create a bigger, better private rental market offering greater choice for tenants,” said Brandon.

“This extra money will not only create 800 more homes for the people of Manchester and Salford, it will also create jobs and security for hardworking people – a vital part of our long term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain.”

Each site will include 1, 2 and 3-bedroom properties and they are expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Additionally, Renaker is to devote £35.1 million towards providing 497 homes at the Greengate development in Salford, minutes away from Manchester Cathedral.