Merseyside council to build first social homes in 15 years

Trish Hardy, cabinet member for communities and housing at Sefton Council, said: “This is a historic moment for Sefton, and I am extremely proud that after 15 years we will be able to provide our most vulnerable residents with a range of good quality, affordable housing.

“This is just the beginning, but this move shows how the council is committed to supporting those residents to get the homes they need and deserve.”

Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said: “I am delighted that this decision has been made as I know that there are residents across the borough who are trying to find housing which is more suitable for them, but the housing stock is currently low.

“Having the ability to acquire these properties means we can support our communities by giving them more housing options.”

Sefton’s 2006 stock transfer ballot was shrouded in controversy after an internal investigation was held to look at claims that anti-transfer campaigners had offered tenants £10 to vote against proposals.

The council eventually handed over its 11,000 homes to One Vision Housing.

Several stock transfer councils across England have made a return to social housebuilding in recent years, particularly since the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap was scrapped in October 2018.