Housing update highlights progress against key priorities
From delivering new homes and affordable housing to helping people avoid homelessness, work continues across Wirral to address some of the borough's biggest housing challenges.
A report due to be considered by members of Wirral Council's Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee next week highlights progress across a range of housing priorities, including new housebuilding, energy efficiency and improvements to existing homes as well as homelessness prevention.
The housing update will be the first since the adoption of Wirral's Housing Strategy 2026-2031 and Delivery Plan earlier this year and sets out the progress being made against the borough's long-term housing priorities.
One of the key updates highlighted in the report is continued housing delivery across the borough.
Between 2022 and 2025, Wirral delivered 1,845 new homes against a target of 1,500, achieving 123% of the Government's Housing Delivery Test requirement. The report also highlights the important role that planning services continue to play in supporting housing growth across the borough, helping bring forward development opportunities and maintain a pipeline of future housing delivery.
During the same period, 657 affordable homes were delivered across the borough, while work continues to bring forward additional affordable housing through council-led sites, brownfield developments and partnership schemes with registered housing providers, including developments in Hoylake, Moreton, Liscard and Wallasey.
Further opportunities could also be unlocked through the recently announced Government funding allocation for affordable housing across the Liverpool City Region.
The report also highlights progress on strategic development sites and wider regeneration activity, including work to support future housing delivery through the Borough Yard programme and other key growth locations across Wirral.
Alongside work to increase housing supply, the report outlines ongoing efforts to improve the quality of existing homes and neighbourhoods.
Since April, housing officers have carried out hundreds of inspections and secured improvements to properties across the borough, including the removal of housing hazards affecting residents. Action has also continued to bring empty properties back into use, helping increase the number of homes available to local people.
Further investment is helping make homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.
During 2025/26, 850 homes have benefited from energy efficiency programmes, including improvements delivered through the Warm Homes programme.
The update also highlights continued support for residents facing housing difficulties.
The number of households receiving homelessness prevention support has more than doubled over the past year, increasing from 108 households to 219. Temporary accommodation numbers have reduced from a peak of 217 households to 182, while the number of families staying in bed and breakfast accommodation beyond six weeks has fallen to zero.
The committee report additionally highlights ongoing work to support vulnerable residents to live independently through home adaptations and specialist housing provision, alongside the continued development of new extra care housing.
Members will consider the Housing Update Report at the meeting of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee on 14 September. For more details of the meeting see: Agenda for Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee on Monday, 14th September 2026, 6.00 p.m. | Wirral Council
