Newcastle City Council is embarking on an ambitious programme to restore 50 void council homes per week in a bid to alleviate the housing crisis gripping the Tyneside region. With almost 1,000 council houses currently vacant and a staggering 10,000 households waiting for accommodation, the urgency to bring these properties back into use has never been greater.
The recent abolition of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) has prompted the council to take direct control of its housing stock, a move that has revealed the extent of the problem. A key council representative highlighted the severity of the situation during a scrutiny panel meeting on Thursday, stressing that the council has inherited numerous vacant properties from YHN and is now prioritising rapid repairs.
Out of Newcastle’s approximately 25,000 council houses, 963 are currently unoccupied. Of these, 452 are void and awaiting repairs, 250 are in the process of being worked on or allocated, and the remaining 261 are unavailable due to structural issues or being used for short-term accommodation. One councillor described the council’s housing waiting list as “horrendous”, with 9,980 households in need of homes as of mid-July.
Council officials assured the panel that efforts are being made to expedite the turnaround of these properties. They explained that dedicated teams are focusing on void properties to achieve a quick turnaround. Some homes require only minor touch-ups such as decorating and cleaning, while others need more extensive work. The target is to ready approximately 50 properties per week for new tenants.
Newcastle is not alone in facing these challenges. The city is one of 20 councils that recently appealed to the new Labour government, urging for a comprehensive overhaul of the housing system. They have called on national leaders to implement substantial reforms and secure significant funding, including an urgent £644 million rescue package to build new council homes and repair existing ones. The councils are also advocating for a revision of Right to Buy rules, which currently allow council homes to be sold into private ownership at discounted rates.
Council leaders underscored the necessity of increased funding and support from the government. They emphasised the need to maximise the number of rental properties obtained from developers, but highlighted that current housing supply falls short. This shortfall is a primary reason for the collective plea to the government, questioning the allocation of funds necessary for expansive housebuilding and council housing projects.
In a proactive move, the council has committed to a detailed survey to assess the condition of every council house in the city. The newly appointed director of housing and communities announced the launch of a comprehensive home visit programme. The programme aims to better understand residents’ needs and the demands on the housing stock, ensuring that housing services are well-suited to meet current and future needs. Managing 24,000 properties housing over 50,000 residents, the director acknowledged the magnitude of the task but expressed confidence in the ambitious plans to deliver improved homes for the community.
The council’s initiative comes at a critical time, with the housing shortage exerting significant pressure on local authorities to find solutions swiftly. The planned restoration of void homes is expected to make a substantial impact, providing much-needed relief for those on the waiting list. However, the success of this programme will depend heavily on securing the necessary resources and support from the national government.
As Newcastle City Council moves forward with its ambitious plan, the focus will remain on addressing the immediate housing needs while also planning for long-term sustainability. The situation underscores the importance of a coordinated effort between local and national authorities to ensure that adequate housing is available for all residents.
In summary, Newcastle’s efforts to bring void homes back into use mark a pivotal step in tackling the housing crisis. The commitment to repairing 50 homes weekly demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the dire need for affordable housing in the city. The collaboration between the council and the government will be crucial in ensuring that these efforts are not only successful but also sustainable in the long term.
