Derby backs call for government to secure future of council homes

Derby City Council is backing calls for the Government to secure the future of England’s council housing.

Last week, at an event held at Westminster, a cross-party coalition of over 100 council landlords, including Derby City Council, jointly published five solutions, which they believe will save council homes.

The coalition, which is led by Southwark Council, warns that England’s council housing system is broken, and that urgent action is needed for the Government to deliver its housing promises.

In July, 20 of the largest council landlords published an interim summary of their recommendations.

Significant traction, including an urgent meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, has led to over 80 more councils backing their recommendations and signing the final report.

The latest report, led by Southwark Council, sets out a full roadmap to renew the country’s council housing over the next decade and critical policy changes for the realisation of the new government’s social housing ambitions.

It explains how an unsustainable financial model and erratic national policy changes have squeezed council’s housing budgets and sent costs soaring.

New analysis from Savills shows they will face a £2.2 billion ‘black hole’ by 2028.

They warn that unless more is done soon, most council landlords will struggle to maintain their existing homes adequately or meet the huge new demands to improve them, let alone build new homes for social rent.

The recommendations include urgent action to restore lost income and unlock local authority capacity to work with the new government to deliver its promises for new, affordable homes throughout the country.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, cabinet member for housing, property and regulatory services at Derby City Council, said: “As an administration, our priorities are built around providing the services and support our citizens need to get on in life.

“A safe and affordable home is something everyone should have access to, and so many in our city rely on council housing for this.

“The sector is under immense pressure, but these recommendations offer a brighter future for council housing here in Derby.

“I hope the new government take them on board and invest in council housing so that this vital sector can continue playing it’s vital role in our city.”