Town hall back in the market with new social housing plan
COUNCILLOR Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, has welcomed the decision for Sefton Council’s re-entry into the social housing market for the first time in nearly 15 years.
Cabinet members have given the go ahead and the council’s first new rented housing since its stock transfer in 2006 will begin with nine apartments on the Sefton Grange development at Buckley Hill Lane.
These homes will be acquired from Sandway Homes, the housing development company launched by the council in January 2019.
Sandway Homes is also building 30 new homes at Hey Farm Gardens in Crossens and 47 more at Sandy Brook in Ainsdale. Due to be completed in 2021, these two schemes will add to the supply of housing in the north of the borough.
Next steps are for the council to register with the Regulator of Social
Housing as a social housing provider.
This new project will also see the formation of a delivery team and the development of a business plan.
Cllr Hardy said: “This is a historic moment for Sefton and I am extremely proud that after 15 years we will be able to provide our most vulnerable residents with a range of good quality, affordable housing.
“This is just the beginning, but this move shows how the council is committed to supporting those residents to get the homes they need and deserve.”
Leader of Sefton Council, Ian Maher, said: “I am delighted that this decision has been made as I know that there are residents across the borough who are trying to find housing which is more suitable for them, but the housing stock is currently low.
“Having the ability to acquire these properties means we can support our communities by giving them more housing options.”
Stuart Barnes, head of economic growth and housing, said: “It is an exciting time for Sefton to be re-entering the social housing market. We will ensure that we have the support from Homes England and the right team in place to enable the council to best serve its new tenants.”