Plan to build 500 affordable homes in county

Council bosses in Durham are aiming to oversee the building of 500 ‘affordable’ homes in the area.

Durham County Council’s cabinet will, next week, hear about the progress that has been made on its Council Homes Programme – which aims to help bridge the gap between the number of homes being built each year and the number required.

The Government has set a target of 300,000 affordable homes nationally each year and Durham County Council’s programme aims to deliver 500 on seven sites between now and 2026.

The development will result in an estimated capital spend of around £70m, with more than £18m of this coming in the form of Government funding.

Council chiefs say this comes at a crucial time to support the county’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 and that the homes will be high quality, energy efficient and with around 65% of being bungalows to meet the needs of the county’s aging population.

Next Wednesday, the cabinet will be asked to approve further sites to allow for assessment and investigation work to get under way.

Cllr James Rowlandson, cabinet member for investment, resources and assets, said: “The need for more affordable homes is widely acknowledged across the political spectrum.

“In County Durham there is a need for additional affordable homes to be built each year between now and 2035 and we are working with local house builders and housing associations to deliver these.

"The Council Homes Programme will help to ensure the county’s housing offer meets residents’ needs.”