More than £2.8 million of developers’ money will be used to buy several 3- and 4-bedroom houses to reduce overcrowding and provide affordable family homes for local people.
At its meeting on Tuesday 4 November, the council’s cabinet agreed that £2.86 million of developer money (referred to as section 106 money) can be used to buy 4 3-bedroom and 4 4-bedroom homes in the borough.
The houses will be purchased from the open market by a housing association (a registered social provider) and will be made available to people on the council’s housing register.
Bracknell Forest has a shortage of large properties available for affordable and social rent, meaning that families have to wait longer for a home suitable for their needs.
By using the money that developers pay the council for investment in the local area, more homes will be available without the council having to use council tax to pay for them.
The 8 houses will be managed by a housing association, but the council will retain the rights to them. This means they will benefit people on the housing register in the greatest need.
The properties will be available for social rent, which is typically set at a lower rate than market rate and affordable housing rates. This makes them more accessible to low-income households.
Cllr Helen Purnell, cabinet member for environment, communities and housing, said:
“We desperately need more affordable family homes for local people. The shortage of 3- and 4-bedroom homes for people on the housing register means families are spending years waiting for a home large enough for their needs.
“We’ve committed to changing that and are taking all the steps possible to reduce overcrowding and to make sure people have access to affordable homes large enough to raise their families. Investing developers’ money in 8 homes is a simple, quick and effective way to help reduce overcrowding and bring down waiting times.
“It will complement the other schemes we have running to provide affordable and social rent homes for local people, including new build homes around the town centre.”
More information
At its meeting on Tuesday 4 November, the cabinet approved using £2.86 million of section 106 money (around half of the £5.5 million funding available). This leaves sufficient funds to support other future opportunities.
The section 106 affordable housing fund consists of contributions from developers. These are made when developers have demonstrated they cannot build affordable housing on their site.
The need for additional 3- and 4-bedroom homes is a priority for the council, as set out in the Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028. The shortage of larger properties has resulted in average waiting times of over:
- 5 years for 3-bedroom homes
- 6 years for 4-bedroom homes
The homes will be made available for households on the council’s housing register as per the eligibility criteria.
Asylum seekers are not eligible to join the housing register and will not benefit from this scheme and cannot access homelessness support.
There are over 250 local households seeking 3- and 4-bedroom homes on our housing register. On average, there has been 41 3-bedroom homes and 4 4-bedroom homes available for letting each year over the past 3 years.
They will not be purchased as a housing solution for people on national resettlement or immigration schemes. Anyone on a national resettlement scheme would need to apply for the housing register, demonstrating eligibility and waiting as per the criteria.
