Proposed council housing boost in Wirral

More homes could be brought into Wirral Council ownership to meet increasing demand for affordable housing under plans to be presented to councillors.

A report to Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee recommends acquisition of 38 newly built houses intended to be bought by the council for social rent.

Subject to the committee’s decision the first homes, in the initial phase of a major housing development currently under development in Bromborough, are expected to be able to be occupied before the end of the year, with others completed and in use during Spring 2027.

It follows an agreement between the council and Wirral-based social landlord Magenta Living which was contracted to acquire 38 homes from the first phase of the development with assistance from a Homes England grant of £4.2 million.

Earlier this year Wirral Council had established a new Strategic Housing Partnership (SHP), bringing together key organisations from across the Liverpool City Region to improve coordination on the delivery of good-quality, affordable and sustainable housing.

Magenta Living as Wirral’s largest registered provider is a member of the SHP which is translating ambition into action, reacting very quickly to the demand for council-owned housing.  The council’s housing team and Magenta Living have worked closely to bring forward this proposed acquisition of 38 new-build homes for social rent at the Northstone development in Bromborough.

Some of these properties may be used for families who are currently homeless, enabling more families to move into stable self contained accommodation while reducing reliance on higher cost emergency accommodation. The overall intention is to offer a mix of affordable homes providing real choice to local people, helping to ease financial pressures on the council, generate sustainable rental income and add to the council's long term housing assets. 

A report prepared for the P&R Committee meeting due to take place on October 21 says Homes England has confirmed its support in principle for the grant to be transferred to Wirral Council. It also confirms Magenta Living have indicated it is prepared to release these homes to the council at the negotiated price and instead acquire a further 38 properties within Phase 2 of the development.

If agreed by the committee this acquisition could establish a first phase from which the council could develop a wider programme of council-owned social housing.

The agenda, including the full report, for the P&R meeting can be found on the Wirral Council website, including details of how to view the livestream of the meeting.