Council plans to build 1,000 new homes over the next five years

BCP COUNCIL presented its five-year housing plan which will allow it to spend £ 44.7 million on the construction of 1,000 new homes and the purchase of 250 housing units to house the homeless.

The plan will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting and will also seek to significantly step up building development activity in the region from 2023.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, Economy and Regeneration Portfolio Holder, said: “This initiative is part of BCP Council’s bold, confident and proud plan for the future, with homes at the heart of our regeneration strategy. urban.

“I am happy to see the plans presented to Cabinet. ”

As real estate prices in the metropolitan area continue to soar alongside the population, the demand for affordable housing is increasing.

Median house prices through September 2020 were around £ 285,000 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

That’s above the South West regional median (£ 260,000) and well above the England and Wales median (£ 243,000).

In 2020, the median house price in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was 9.76 times the average income (higher than in any larger comparison areas).

In addition, there are around 5,000 applicants on the housing registry and homeless claims have increased by more than 15% since 2019, despite the council owning more than 10,000 residential properties.

To tackle the serious challenges facing the community, the council’s new home construction and acquisition strategy aims to build at least 1,000 homes – many of which they say will be affordable, although the exact number won’t has not been confirmed – within the next five years.

The delivery of the new homes will be developed at up to 33 sites across the BCP Council area.

The strategy will also include an approved expenditure of £ 44.7million to purchase existing properties across the street to house the homeless.

The council will work with Seascape Homes and Property Ltd to purchase up to 250 additional accommodation units for rent to experienced homeless youth and those in need of good quality rental property in the market.

Councilor Bob Lawton, Housing Portfolio Holder, said: “We are committed to providing much needed affordable housing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“The strategy sets out how we will develop and deliver new homes to our residents and meet the diverse housing needs of our population, including the homeless, the vulnerable and those leaving nursing homes.

“We look forward to pursuing our ambitions for the regeneration and provision of housing in the BCP zone. ”

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