Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Cabinet has approved a bold £100 million, five-year investment plan to help tackle the growing housing pressures in the city.
The Housing Pressures Action Plan, which was discussed at last night's Cabinet meeting (Monday 21 July, item 6), proposes a major programme of investment to improve access to affordable housing and reduce the council's reliance on costly, short-term temporary accommodation.
The plan will see:
- an additional £10.5 million invested in the council's existing acquisitions programme to buy more homes
- £85 million for new-build homes and opportunities through Section 106 agreements
- £4.5 million for a temporary accommodation development project, which could include modular or meanwhile-use housing on council-owned sites
The scheme will be funded through a mix of government grant, housing revenue account reserves and borrowing.
A new Housing Delivery Board will be established to oversee the programme and act quickly on new opportunities in a competitive market.
The report highlights that Southend currently has nearly 600 households in desperate need of affordable, suitable homes, including larger families and people requiring adapted properties, and notes that private temporary accommodation is placing increasing financial pressure on the council.
The aim is to give more people the security of a permanent home, while also helping to reduce costs and pressure on emergency housing services. They build on the council's ongoing work to reduce homelessness and support independent living.
Cllr Anne Jones, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, said: "This investment will be a major step forward in tackling the housing challenges we face. By building and buying good quality homes, we can create more affordable and settled places for people to live, as well as improving temporary accommodation for those in urgent need.
"It's not just about constructing buildings, it's about giving people the stability and sense of belonging that comes with having a home. This is a long-term investment in our city and our residents."
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, added: "This Action Plan will support the delivery of affordable, permanent homes for local people. It's about putting local people first and investing in housing that helps families feel secure, live well, and remain part of their communities.
"This is an ambitious programme designed to meet the housing needs of Southend residents and forms part of our wider plans to build a city we can be proud of."
A recording of last night's Cabinet meeting can be viewed on our democracy website.