Council launches consultation on £1bn draft housing strategy

Inside Housing’s investigation into in-person approaches by people suffering homelessness highlighted significant pressures on the council, as well as barriers to those seeking support. 

In January, it emerged that the Liverpool Council’s costs for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation had risen by 10,000% in five years.

Earlier this month, it emerged that the percentage of councils’ total housing budget being spent on homelessness and temporary accommodation has tripled since 2015, according to research by the Local Government Association.

The consultation comes amid forecasts that the population in Liverpool will grow by 40,000 households in the next 20 years.

The local authority said that around 52% of residents currently live in either private or social rent homes – one of the highest ratios in the country.

Liverpool Council said it hopes that by doubling the number of affordable homes, more first-time buyers will be able to get on the housing ladder.

The local authority also said 20% of city properties (44,000) do not meet the Decent Homes Standard. 

Liverpool Council has set out a commitment to develop brownfield sites to help deliver homes. It said it is currently working on schemes including Festival Gardens, Liverpool Waters, King’s Dock and Paddington Village.

The local authority will be writing to landlords of more than 8,000 empty properties as part of a review of empty homes.

It said it is also working on a new homelessness strategy to look at providing more housing for vulnerable groups and those with support needs. 

The consultation on the housing strategy will run until 6 September, with the aim of adopting the final plan by December 2026.

Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said: “The council recognises the challenges people face to get on the property ladder, which is why our new draft housing strategy has set out a target for 2,000 new homes a year, with a fifth being affordable.

 “The underlying problem of supply and demand is also at the heart of our mission, which is why we are working with a range of partners to unlock key brownfield sites and to systematically reduce the number of empty properties.

“Together this will help kick-start a £1bn boom in housebuilding across the city, which will have a huge impact on our economy and workforce.

“I’m confident Liverpool can get the country moving in launching a new era of quality, affordable homes.”

The details on the council’s new housing strategy first emerged in May.