Winchester City Council has announced plans to double the amount of council homes built by 2020, following Theresa May's confirmation that her government will meet the Conservative manifesto promise to renew the building of council and social housing.
This means that the Council's existing target of delivering 300 new council homes by 2020, is now more than 600.
Conservative-led WCC has identified sites for council housing from across the district for schemes of varying size. The schemes will provide homes for older people and families, and the ambitious plans also aim to provide for young people who want to take their first steps onto the housing ladder.
Mrs May pledged to "fix the housing market", announcing an extra £2bn to be spent on affordable housing – taking the government's total affordable housing budget to almost £9bn. Councils and housing associations will be able to bid for the money and provide certainty over future rent levels, with some homes being built for social rent below market levels.
Leader of Winchester City Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing Cllr Caroline Horrill said: "We want to help our residents by delivering affordable housing and so far our plans to deliver 300 homes are on track. I am delighted that we are doubling our target to 600.We aspire to deliver quality affordable housing for residents of all ages across the District and reduce our waiting list. It is important to offer people a choice of housing."
The news comes as Winchester City Council's Cabinet Housing Committee also approved plans which mean that The Valley scheme for 76 new homes in Stanmore is a step closer to being delivered.
Steve Brine said: "This will all be very welcome in Winchester given our high average property prices. I am delighted that the New Homes Programme run by the Conservative team at WCC is being supercharged and the latest proposals for 76 new homes at The Valley in Stanmore are very exciting."
Pictured; (top) Steve Brine opens Barron Close in Micheldever with then-Mayor Cllr Ernie Jeffs.
More information ...
WCC's affordable housing website
