The Housing Convener, Councillor Michael McPake, paid a visit to one of our new council house building projects to see the progress being made in delivering our new supply programme.
The site in Castlehill Road, Wishaw, which will create 96 affordable homes and a community facility, is just one of the exciting new developments we’re building across North Lanarkshire, as part of our plans to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035.
Other key projects being progressed include Dykehead Road and Northburn Avenue, Airdrie, which forms part of our reprovisioning plans to regenerate our communities by demolishing towers and low-rise flats.
This year’s new supply update, which was presented to a recent housing committee, shows we’re on track to deliver a record number of completions this year, providing more homes for rent.
Figures to date show 1,230 homes completed with 381 on site and 334 scheduled for completion in 2023/24. To date 49 new developments have been completed with a further 12 on site.
Councillor McPake said: “We’re making significant progress delivering our new supply programme which is transforming and regenerating our communities and town centres, a priority within the transforming places programme of work.
“It’s pleasing to see the range of housing we’re delivering to best meet the needs of our tenants. Our new homes are built to an extremely high standard. All design and build projects meet Housing for Varying Needs which means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs and are secure by design. They are also designed to be sustainable, well insulated and highly energy efficient, benefiting our tenants’ comfort and tackling fuel poverty. Our housing investment is also supporting new job opportunities and delivering a range of community benefits.”
Our new build homes are just one aspect of our supply programme which aims to increase the number of homes available to rent. We do this in a number of ways. Our award-winning Open Market Purchase Scheme has seen 728 homes purchased through the empty homes and open market purchase scheme since its inception. It’s proved an effective, and cost-efficient way of providing much needed accommodation, particularly in areas of high demand. Our projections show that at least 100 properties will be purchased in the current financial year, exceeding our initial target of 75.
A further 147 homes have been identified for delivery through our ‘Off the Shelf’ purchases. Negotiations continue with a range of developers to identify and develop opportunities that meet the council’s housing need in town centre areas and beyond.
Councillor McPake added: “We’ll continue to push forward with our housing plans and are committed to improving the lives of people living in our communities and meeting their housing aspirations.”