Brighton and Hove City Council is putting together plans for a £50 million scheme to buy homes for homeless families.
One of the aims is to save money because the council currently has to pay out millions of pounds to private landlords each year.
The council is also reviewing its own extensive property portfolio to see whether any sites could be turned into housing.
In the first instance, the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve a £10 million outlay as the council looks to buy the first of up to 200 homes.
The council said: “Brighton and Hove City Council plans a bold and compassionate intervention to directly purchase temporary homes for homeless families.
“This significant move marks a shift in how the council is using its resources, prioritising people over property and placing vulnerable families at the heart of its housing strategy.
“As part of a wider commitment to financial sustainability and social impact, the council is also maximising the use of its existing assets.
“Several council-owned sites, including the Slipper Baths and the South Downs Riding School, will now be used for housing.
“The recommendation going to cabinet is for the purchase of up to 200 additional temporary homes, with an initial investment of £10 million.
“These homes will offer greater flexibility than secure tenancies, allowing the council to support families in transition and help them prepare for long-term renting.
“No new eligibility criteria are being introduced. Instead, the council will prioritise families most in need.
“A key priority is helping families stay close to their support networks.
“The council is working to reduce disruption and instability, recognising the serious implications for children in temporary accommodation.
“Research shows that instability and displacement can have long-term negative effects on children’s wellbeing, education and development.”
Labour councillor Jacob Taylor, the deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “This is a bold and necessary investment in the future of our city.
“The pressure on housing is immense and we need to think differently. By purchasing up to 200 homes, we are helping families stay close to their support networks such as schools, services and communities.”
Labour councillor Gill Williams, the council’s cabinet member for housing and new homes, said: “This is a bold step forward in how we support families facing homelessness in Brighton and Hove.
“We are using our resources to act now, not just to respond to crisis but to prevent it.
“By investing £10 million in homes, we are restoring dignity, reducing disruption and giving families a pathway to secure housing.
“This is about protecting their wellbeing and helping families build a future in our city.”
Much needed for immigrants excepting war and the homeless too. Well done
Ah, so it’s flipping expensive temporary accommodations into the council’s in-house portfolio?
I meant escaping war. Much nicer to have a real home rather than a hotel that doesn’t feel like a home
The average house in Brighton is over £400K so is the council getting a bulk buy discount? Or is it buying off-plan? And what is the likely impact on the market for poor DFL-ers and politicians wanting to invest in second/third homes? Has anyone even thought of them?!
There should be conditions on this housing It should go first to the elderly and those with very serious disabilities on the housing list. Then to people that have been on the housing list the longest who have jobs and have been useful members of society and paid taxes. Anyone else should be housed in the cheapest locations anywhere else in the UK as if you are not contributing to tax take you shouldn’t have priority over those that do for highly sought after housing. No idea why a low paid person working at Morrisons should be lower priority than a refugee family that have just arrived.
It will be the standard council housing waiting list.
They should band the council tax so the money used for support for housing, benefits of etc goes to those of your generation
Then all generations put towards heartfelt aid to foreigners
There are nearly 2,000 Children in the City that are classed as Homeless ( living with Parents)
They should be 1st, not the Immigrants-even though they in Hotels, they are housed well compared to children cramped in Temporary.
My Opinion anyway.
It will be the same criteria as normal. Nothing changes other than a reduction in the usage of temporary accommodation.
Betty having her 2 mins of fame, spouting nonsense she’s watched on GB news or read somewhere on Facebook…
This is a good idea, and fiscally responsible in the long term. One of the worst consequences of the squeeze to council budgets in the austerity years was to force them to sell public assets like property to cover day-to-day running costs. This, along with the growth in demand for services they are legally required to provide, has resulted in the unsustainable position they are in today, where they have to pay outrageous sums of money to the private sector to provide services they used to provide in-house. The cynical might say this was the Conservatives aim all along.
10,000,000 ÷ 200 = 50,000
This is solid clowncil maths based on house prices from 1985.
Might want to read the article carefully next time, Dave. £10 million is the initial amount, the entire project is £50 million. £50,000,000 / 200 = £250,000 per unit, which is entirely realistic.
Dave innit, reading isn’t a strong point is it lol
Where are these “up to 200” homes coming from and who is using them now? Are they somehow going to be magicked up from nothing or are they normal houses that will be effectively taken off the market by the council and thus depriving those who would otherwise buy them from doing so? Are there that many unoccupied homes around waiting to be snapped up by the council? Some additional information needed here I think.
How many houses are there in Brighton for a maximum of £250,000 . And if you find one at that price , it will need work. The answer is build on council land . Ist option is between Falmer and peacehaven. As a road is required, the coast road won’t last forever
£250,000 is an average price in Brighton, so in answer to your question, at least half!