A significant proportion of new properties are built using efficient techniques, according to a new publication created in unison by the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.

Modern Talking reveals that 41 per cent of affordable homes built last year were made using modern approaches to construction, whereas the government target was just 25 per cent.

Housing associations and developers are embracing efficient methods, which have helped them to cut costs and construct more homes for less, the publication concludes.

"Modern Talking is a fantastic testament to the work of affordably housing providers and their ability to respond to the challenge to build better, cheaper homes using modern approaches to construction," said Peter Dixon, chairman of the Housing Corporation.

"The challenge now is to build upon this experience further and embed the best of modern practice into the mainstream. I have every confidence that the affordable housing sector will achieve this and continue to be at the cutting edge of efficient methods of construction," he continued.

The Housing Corporation has also now released an updated version of the Capacity Model, a tool that allows funding chiefs to assess how each housing provider is placed to take on new affordable housing stock.

Initially unveiled in 2005, the new version features Monte Carlo Analysis - among other things - that allows organisations to consider their future financial risk.