Residents have benefitted from almost 80 extra council homes which have been brought into use since 2020, thanks to the housing pipeline project.
This is according to a report going to cabinet on Tuesday 21 February (item 11), which looks at the success of the scheme so far and what happens next.
A total of 58 homes have been bought on the open market, and a further 19 homes have been built. Of those, nine have been sold privately, four are council homes and six are in partnership with the Salvation Army.
The additional homes are creating an extra revenue, including more than £500,000 in yearly rent and £130,000 in council tax.
Cllr Ian Gilbert, cabinet member for economic recovery, regeneration and housing, said: “I think it's amazing that in three short years, two of which were during a global pandemic, we’ve managed to create an additional 80 council homes. We are in desperate need for extra homes in Southend and I am so pleased the team have managed to achieve so much.”
The work doesn’t stop there, with the report outlining next steps which include more new homes that are built to be energy efficient and climate friendly. The scheme includes:
- planning permission for further 38 homes to be built on council land, which will be built to Future Homes+ standard, using high levels of insulation, solar panels and heat pumps
- a shared accommodation scheme, built using modern methods of construction (this is where the frame of the house is built entirely off site and lifted into position in record time) is being proposed with a planning application due to be submitted soon
- more council home purchases are being sought for 2023/24, with four homes already with solicitors for completion
The council is also looking to progress a Government scheme that involves access to £1.392m for 12 homes for Ukrainian households, and a further £463K to provide two larger homes for Afghan households, currently in bridging accommodation. The council will need to match fund the Government funding in order to access it, which is what the council is currently exploring.
The Passivhaus pilot scheme is also due to be launched, with two possible sites identified for the homes which are so heat efficient, the energy costs would be minimal. This would be a pilot scheme that if successful, could be rolled out for future council building schemes and contribute to the City’s green ambitions.
Other sites the council are looking at for potential development include Thorpedene Campus, a small section of Hamlet Court car park, Shorefield Road, The Cattery just off Prince Avenue and Civic 2.
Cllr Gilbert added: “The South Essex Housing Needs Assessment tells us that the need for houses of all sizes across the City is increasing, so we need to look at every opportunity we can to develop new homes or purchase existing ones, within the budgets that we have.
“We have carried out many feasibility studies since 2019, looking at many pieces of council owned land, or sites that could be bought. To deliver on our housing and homelessness strategy we need more homes, and we need to get creative with our solutions. I look forward to discussing this report at cabinet and the future of the housing pipeline.”
The report will be discussed in full, and can be found on our democracy website.