Key housing updates presented to committee

19 March 2026

A stock images showing a row of terraced houses set against a blue and cloudy sky

At the March meeting of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee members considered a report updating them on a range of housing issues across the borough - from new affordable homes being built and temporary accommodation levels to rough sleeping and help for vulnerable people.

The report was the latest of the twice a yearly updates for councillors outlining the progress against the council’s housing strategy as well as giving context on national policy and challenges and how these are being addressed in Wirral.

Here are seven of the key topics that were discussed during the meeting:

1. Improving temporary accommodation and reducing reliance on B&Bs

Temporary accommodation demand continues to rise, with 198 households accommodated in the most recent quarter — 149 in B&B and 49 in other properties. To address this the council is expanding alternative options:

19 council-owned homes already in use, with 5 more due by March
29 leased homes from Registered Providers
A Private Sector Leasing pilot, with 8 homes progressing. (This pilot sees the council lease properties from private landlords to use as temporary accommodation so it is not taking properties from the affordable housing market.)
A new 20-bed supported accommodation unit opening in April 2026

2. Expanded support for vulnerable residents, including domestic abuse services and adaptations

Several specialist services and programmes are highlighted in the update, including:

A new 10-unit supported accommodation service for single women fleeing domestic abuse began operating in October 2025.
2,348 home adaptations were delivered in the first three quarters of 2025/26 to help residents live independently.
Wirral has received an additional £412,184 Disabled Facilities Grant to support adaptations into 2026/27.

3. Rough sleeping levels remain low due to coordinated outreach

Monthly snapshot counts by YMCA Outreach show that rough sleeping has remained no higher than five individuals on any single night during 2025/26. The report notes that while numbers are low, people with complex needs may sleep rough intermittently and require sustained engagement and support.

4. Progress on new affordable housing schemes across Wirral

Work continues on a number of important affordable housing developments:

Progress is being made on appointing a preferred developer for the sites of the former Wallasey Town Hall Annexes, with a further update expected in April 2026.
A similar process for the Seaview Road site in Liscard will begin in April following initial engagement with developers.
Several Brownfield Land Fund schemes remain in delivery, including 40 affordable homes in Hoylake, 80 extra-care homes in Moreton, 44 affordable homes at Pasture Road, and the newly funded Redcourt scheme in Oxton.

5. Wirral selected for the CHoSS Vanguard Scheme

Wirral has been chosen as one of just 10 local authorities nationally to participate in the Government’s Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) Vanguard Scheme. This programme provides support to deliver new high quality, affordable homes, and officers are receiving specialist training.

Local Partnerships, commissioned by CHoSS, is also engaging with elected members, senior officers and Registered Providers to help shape a boroughwide Affordable Housing Plan.

6. More than 800 new affordable homes

Under the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme (2021–26), 759 new affordable homes let at social or affordable rents have been delivered in Wirral, and officers expect this to rise to 844 homes by March 2026 once the final year’s completions are recorded. 256 homes for affordable home ownership are expected to have completed.

7. Preparing for the Renters’ Rights Act and new enforcement duties

The Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect from 1 May 2026, bringing a wide range of national reforms including:

Abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions
New assured periodic tenancies
Rent increase limits (once per year)
Ban on rental bidding and rent in advance
Protections for families with children and people on benefits
Stronger local enforcement powers

Wirral is preparing by creating a new tenancy relations triage service within our Housing Standards team, undertaking staff training on investigatory powers, and working with other Liverpool City Region councils on consistent practice. A joint LCR communications campaign will launch this spring.