Council buys 60 homes to help people in housing need

We're delighted that we've met our target of purchasing an additional 60 council homes during the period 2024 to 2026, and significantly under budget.

The properties, which will be let to local people on the waiting list (Housing Register), have been purchased via the Council’s two-year property acquisitions programme, funded by the Right to Buy (RTB) replacement fund.

The programme had £12.3m allocated for the purchase and repair of 60 properties from the wider housing market which have been added to council stock to replace some of those sold through Right to Buy.

The types of properties purchased through the programme include one and two bed flats and maisonettes, and one, two, three and four bed houses, spread across the city.

Residents have been moving into some of the properties since late January this year. Other properties are being repaired and refurbished and will be ready to let in the coming months.

All properties are receiving a stock condition survey between works completion and lettings, to align them with council homes that have already been surveyed.

Councillor Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Housing and Planning, said, “The number of council homes being lost through Right to Buy is significant, and it’s a constant challenge to keep the number of council properties in the city at a sufficient level.

“This programme has realised excellent value for money and has come in substantially below budget. We’re now exploring how we can invest in more, additional housing, including for households whose needs are more difficult to meet from the existing council stock.