Strategic Housing Partnership accelerates delivery of affordable housing
Wirral Council’s leader says a new partnership led by the authority will align “plans, investment and expertise, to accelerate the delivery of the affordable homes our communities need”.
The council and Registered housing partners are pushing ahead within a new framework – the Strategic Housing Partnership (SHP) – to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes across the borough.
The Partnership’ members are now working closely together to use the newly approved Strategic Land Disposal Framework - which is part of the Affordable Housing Accelerator Programme - to bring forward new homes, support regeneration and improve housing outcomes for residents across Wirral.
This would see council-owned sites identified and released for development in a coordinated way to help assist in speeding up the delivery of affordable housing by helping overcome barriers such as funding, planning, or site preparation.
The SHP was established by Wirral Council earlier this year to bring together Registered Providers and public sector organisations, creating a coordinated approach to housing growth, investment and regeneration across the borough
A central feature of the newly endorsed framework is the Wirral Affordable Housing Accelerator Programme, which provides a coordinated approach to bringing forward development opportunities, attracting investment and delivering more affordable homes at pace and scale.
At a recent meeting (22 July) members of the SHP formally endorsed the Partnership and Collaboration Framework, strengthening their shared commitment to tackling housing challenges facing local communities and accelerating the delivery of affordable housing across Wirral.
The meeting came shortly after councillors approved the Strategic Land Disposal Framework (LINK), a new approach that will see suitable surplus council-owned land brought forward for affordable housing development through the Strategic Housing Partnership.
The framework forms a key part of the Affordable Housing Accelerator Programme and is designed to help unlock new housing opportunities while supporting wider regeneration ambitions.
As part of the meeting, partners discussed future development opportunities, potential housing delivery sites, and ways to strengthen collaboration around funding, investment and homelessness prevention. Members also received findings from housing specialists Local Partnerships, whose work with the council and Registered Providers has helped shaped how the council will use its land, funding, partnerships and influence to increase housing supply, reduce pressure on temporary accommodation and help more residents access the homes they need.
Councillor Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
The Strategic Housing Partnership was established to bring organisations together around a shared ambition to improve housing outcomes for Wirral residents. What has been particularly encouraging is the commitment shown by partners to move beyond discussion and focus on delivery.
By aligning our plans, investment and expertise, we can accelerate the delivery of the affordable homes our communities need, while supporting regeneration and creating stronger neighbourhoods across the borough.
The approval of the Strategic Land Disposal Framework is another important step forward. Together with the Affordable Housing Accelerator Programme, it gives us a practical route to bring forward sites, unlock investment and create opportunities for more people to access a safe, good-quality and affordable home.
The Strategic Housing Partnership will continue to meet regularly and develop a shared programme of work focused on affordable housing delivery, regeneration, homelessness prevention and wider community outcomes.
The Strategic Housing Partnership acts as Wirral's primary housing delivery partnership, bringing together the council and Registered Providers to support housing growth, regeneration, investment and homelessness priorities across the borough. The Partnership operates under a shared vision to create sustainable, inclusive communities through the delivery of high-quality affordable housing and regeneration.
