Council approved as registered housing provider

Preston City Council has taken a major step in its ambition to be a social housing owner again after several decades.

It is now officially a local authority registered provider of social housing after a regulator confirmed its application had been successful.

Councillor Matthew Brown, council leader, said: “The long-held ambition of the council to hold its own social housing stock again after a long hiatus is one step closer.”

He added: “Demand for social and affordable rented homes remains high, with long waiting lists and pressure from households in poorer quality, private rented accommodation.

“As seen across the country, the council's reliance on temporary accommodation has also increased over recent years. This helps to redress the balance.”

Authorisation was given by council in January to submit an offer to a developer for 19 homes – now 18 after correction by the developer.

This has been accepted and a report will now be taken to a meeting of the council this month with the aim of going ahead with the deal subject to the necessary legal agreements.

If that is approved, the next step will be to appoint a registered provider to provide housing management, repairs, statutory compliance and regulatory support services.

Authorisation was given by council in January to submit an offer to a developer for 19 homes. This now 18 after a correction by the developer.

It has been accepted and a report will now be taken to a council meeting in June to go ahead with the deal subject to the necessary legal agreements.

If approved, the next step will be to appoint a registered provider to provide housing management, repairs, statutory compliance and regulatory support services.

Registered providers are currently the only providers of social and affordable accommodation since the council transferred its housing stock to the Community Gateway Association about 20 years ago.

Cllr Brown added: “We have enabled more than 1,700 affordable homes to be delivered in Preston in the past five years, either through registered providers building new homes, or acquiring affordable housing stock from private developers.

“Whilst it is great that there are affordable rents available within the Preston housing market, evidence suggests there is demand for more social rented homes for those local families that need the help the most.”

A total of £5m has been approved in the council’s budget over the next two years to deliver more social rented homes and explore other similar schemes.