A Decision Record published today, Tuesday 2 April, gives the go ahead for Hull City Council to buy nine brand new homes from James Reckitt Properties Limited at its Brambles Development (off James Reckitt Avenue) in east Hull, which will be for rent from the council.
The council will fund the acquisition via the Housing Revenue Account (the Council’s Landlord Service) and grant from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme
Hull is currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for affordable housing. The latest Local Needs Assessment identified a net need for 242 affordable homes of various tenures to be built per year until 2039. General house building and affordable housing developed as part of that is unlikely to deliver sufficient affordable homes on its own, therefore turn-key opportunities such as at the Brambles are important additions to the council’s housing stock. Furthermore, the council will be able to offer modern, high quality, energy efficient homes in an area where demand for affordable homes is high. The Energy Performance Certificate rating in these homes is a B.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing said: “We have an acute shortage of affordable housing in relation to current demand. We have 1400 people who have been awarded urgent priority status for rehousing, which is twice the number of people as in 2020, yet, only 1400 homes became available to let in the last 12 months. The acquisition of more homes should help ease the pressure. Hull City Council gives preference to its existing tenants for new build houses, giving those with good tenancy histories a better chance of securing a new home. This in turn frees up other council properties for those who need them.”
