More affordable homes to be delivered in Southampton

Southampton City Council has approved the first set of council-owned sites to be transferred to affordable housing providers.

They are either vacant sites, empty buildings or have an approved decommissioning plan in place.

They will provide an estimated total of up to 300 homes.

READ MORE: 5G masts: Four times people took matters into their own hands

The move is part of the new affordable house framework which was approved at Cabinet earlier this year.

The council aims to ensure more affordable homes in the city which includes continuing to work towards the direct delivery of council homes.

The framework will allow the council to use its own land to address the significant need for affordable housing in Southampton.

It will provide the opportunity for the development of social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership properties which will help people get onto the housing ladder and own a share in their home.

READ MORE: New CCTV installed at bus stops in bid to improve safety

The council anticipates that several providers will be appointed and the framework ready to move forward early in 2023.

Councillor Lisa Mitchell said: "We know that poor quality housing has a significant impact on residents’ health and wellbeing, which is why it is so important that we provide good quality affordable housing so our residents can achieve a high-quality life and we enable people to live independently for longer by supporting their mental and physical wellbeing.

“The new affordable housing framework will accelerate the delivery of new homes and help us work towards our commitment to providing at least 8,000 affordable homes by 2040.

“We will work with Affordable Housing Providers to build new homes and work in collaboration with partners to provide more affordable housing and build better, stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods that foster city pride.”

Specific location and site addresses for each plot will be provided in the new year.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook