One of our major goals as a Council is to provide more high quality, affordable housing for the people of Reading.
We have already delivered 421 new Council homes as part of a big investment in affordable homes, and another 362 are on the way.
Our ongoing commitment is about adding new homes to our housing stock to be let at social rents to keep costs to tenants down. Everyone knows the shortage of affordable homes remains a major issue, particularly in the south-east, with many residents priced out of the market.
Eighty-nine of those homes are on schedule to complete this financial year, made up of 42 at Hexham Road, plus a day service for adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties, 30 at Dwyer Road, including flats specially designed for downsizers, and 17 at Amethyst Lane, as well as a new respite scheme
We will then be enhancing the Council’s housing stock further over the next three years through 62 new homes at Battle Street, where redevelopment of the former Central Pool site will provide 20 general needs homes along with 29 sheltered housing flats and 13 supported living flats and an older person’s day opportunities service,
There are also 14 new homes planned in Southcote Lane, where redevelopment of the former Southcote Library site, subject to planning approval, and another 190 at Dee Park as part of phase 3 of the regeneration project, again subject to planning approval. This adds to the 515 new homes the Dee Park project has delivered in the first two phases.
There is more than just our own new build programme. Our active acquisitions programme is expected to deliver at least 37 more homes by 2029 having secured 16 new homes from Bellway Homes in Watchman’s Place last year.
The regeneration of existing stock ensures as many of our tenants as possible are able to share in the improvements, like our project at Wensley Road. We opened 46 new homes there in January for existing tenants on the estate, and are now focusing on the three tower blocks which are being prepared for a range of improvements including new exterior insulation, new windows and improved entrance halls and landscaping.
I was delighted the Council’s housing team’s hard work was recognised at the national LGC Awards recently where they won a superb Silver award for our Local Authority New Build programme, in what is a highly competitive sector. Judges said it “demonstrates an impressive long-term commitment to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable residents where the private sector falls short, with innovation and creativity evident throughout a complex environment.”
As we head into the summer we are continuing our award-winning work giving more residents the opportunity to access quality, affordable housing.
Cllr Liz Terry is leader of Reading Borough Council
