Wirral Council is investing a total of £4.7 million to purchase and refurbish 24 properties across the borough. The initiative aims to provide long-term housing for Afghan refugees and temporary accommodation for local homeless individuals, using a combination of government grants and council funds.
Key Takeaways
- Wirral Council has allocated £4.7 million for a housing project, with £4.2 million for purchasing 24 properties and £500,000 for renovations.
- The homes will be used to house Afghan families with UK settlement status and to provide temporary accommodation for people facing homelessness in Wirral.
- Funding is a mix of a £2.4 million central government grant and £2.8 million from the council's ring-fenced funds.
- The council will own and manage the properties directly to generate future rental income and reduce reliance on expensive B&B accommodation for the homeless.
Details of the £4.7 Million Housing Project
Wirral Council has confirmed the purchase of additional homes as part of a significant project to address housing needs for vulnerable populations. A total of £4.2 million is being spent to acquire 24 properties, with an additional £500,000 allocated for necessary refurbishment work.
This investment is part of a broader strategy to support refugees who have settled in the borough and to tackle rising homelessness pressures. The plan was detailed in a decision notice published on September 23, outlining the progress and financial commitments.
Background on the Funding
The project is supported by a £2.4 million grant from a government Local Authority Housing Fund. This funding was awarded to Wirral in recognition of its role in welcoming and supporting families fleeing conflict in Afghanistan and Ukraine. The council has supplemented this with £2.8 million of its own ring-fenced capital, which includes contributions from developers for affordable housing and existing budgets for refugee support programmes.
Allocation of Housing Resources
The 24 properties acquired will be specifically allocated to meet distinct needs within the community. According to the council's notice, the housing will be divided between two key groups.
Support for Afghan Nationals
A significant portion of the new homes, 15 properties, are designated for Afghan nationals who have been granted settlement status in the UK. Many of these families have been living in temporary "bridging hotels" and are now being moved into stable, long-term accommodation where they can rebuild their lives.
In 2023, the UK government allocated a national fund of £250 million to councils across the country to support the resettlement of Afghan families. This initiative in Wirral is a direct result of that broader national commitment.
Addressing Local Homelessness
The remaining properties will be used to alleviate significant homelessness pressures within Wirral. The decision notice states that 10 properties will serve as temporary accommodation. This move is designed to provide a more stable and cost-effective alternative to placing homeless individuals and families in bed and breakfast hotels.
Challenges in Property Acquisition
The path to securing the 24 homes has not been without complications. The council's initial aim was to purchase 30 properties using the government grant. However, several issues arose during the procurement process.
The delivery of two new-build properties fell through, and vendors withdrew from the sale of three other houses. This reduced the potential number of available properties to 25. Further complications with three of those properties meant that only 22 purchases were certain to be completed from the initial batch.
Despite these setbacks, the council was able to secure two additional properties through the current funding round, bringing the final confirmed number of homes to 24.
Council's Strategy for Direct Ownership
Wirral Council made a strategic decision to purchase and manage these properties directly, rather than transferring the funds to a social housing provider like Magenta Housing, which took over most of the borough's council housing stock in 2005.
The council's preferred option was direct ownership for two primary reasons:
- Future Income Generation: By owning the properties, the council can generate a steady stream of rental income in the long term.
- Cost Reduction: Owning temporary accommodation units helps reduce the significant financial burden of paying for bed and breakfast placements, a cost which contributes to a housing subsidy loss.
An agreement is in place for the council to manage the homes, ensuring they are maintained and allocated according to the project's goals.
Political and National Context
The initiative has received cross-party support locally. Cllr Jeff Green, Leader of the council’s Conservative group, previously praised the funding. He stated, "We know these families’ lives were put at significant risk when the Taliban retook power and it is heartening we are making good on the debt of honour we owe these brave people.”
"Our commitment to the people of Afghanistan is unwavering, and our new plan, complete with new funding, will speed up the resettlement of Afghans into suitable, long-term housing so they can successfully make Britain their home and find the certainty that brings."
- Johnny Mercer, former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs (at the time of the national funding announcement)
The former minister's comments highlight the national importance placed on providing stable housing for Afghans who assisted British forces or were otherwise forced to flee persecution. The funding and the subsequent actions by councils like Wirral are part of a coordinated effort to fulfill this commitment.