Essex council could buy back homes it's sold to residents to tackle homelessness
Colchester City Council meet next week to discuss leasing private sector student accommodation to help alleviate “an acute housing shortage.”
An Essex council could buy back homes it’s sold to residents, and use student accommodation, in a bid to tackle a shortage of homes and rising homelessness in the city.
Colchester City Council will meet next week to discuss charging affordable rent for homes it sold under the right-to-buy scheme.
They predict buying back up to 20 homes each year, and rent private student accommodation to house 100 homeless families, according to LDRS.
They have plans to lease private sector student accommodation to help alleviate “an acute housing shortage in Colchester.”
"an acute housing shortage in Colchester"
A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said: “In response to the escalating housing crisis in Colchester, the council is proposing innovative solutions to increase the availability of affordable housing and provide temporary accommodation for those in need."
"The council is in advanced discussions with private sector owners of former student housing in Colchester to secure this accommodation."
Council meeting documents ahead of the meeting next week show the student accommodation in question includes single rooms that share a kitchen, living and bathroom spaces.
They can be flexible for single people or families as well as self-contained studio flats.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,
“There is an acute shortage of social housing in Colchester with over 2,500 households currently on the waiting list."
"335 households were in temporary accommodation at the end of May - that number increased to 364 in two and a half months"
LDRS has said 335 households were in temporary accommodation t the end of May 2024, with 100 of those living in bed and breakfast (B&B) or nightly let accommodation."
"By 13 August the numbers had increased to 364 and 122 respectively."
Emma Hughes is the CEO of Essex-based homeless charity, Sanctus:
"There is a huge ongoing issue with the lack of both available and appropriate temporary accommodation for those experiencing homelessness across Essex."
"Bed and breakfast accommodation is far from appropriate. The lack of cooking facilities, sleeping, and general living space makes much of the current temporary accommodation unfit for purpose."
"Sourcing suitable temporary accommodation will be a critical and impactful solution should these plans go ahead."
"Bed and breakfast accommodation is far from appropriate"
Current costs being paid by Colchester City Council range from £38 to £130 per night for a single person to around £160 per night per room for families, according to LDRS.
Colchester City Council say, “We are committed to taking bold steps to address this crisis and ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and suitable housing".
The proposed plans are set to be discussed in a cabinet meeting next week (commencing September 2, 2024)