Rochdale Council to Inject Millions into Housing Drive Amidst Emergency
Rochdale, Greater Manchester, UK – Rochdale Council is poised to commit millions of pounds to a substantial new programme aimed at constructing thousands of new homes over the next five years, in a direct response to the borough's declared housing emergency.
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Next week, the council's cabinet is expected to approve an initial injection of over £4.5 million for the Housing Supply Programme over the next two years. This financial commitment is part of a broader strategy to establish a cumulative £25 million budget for the programme, which is projected to run until 2030.
The ambitious plan comes as the housing situation in Rochdale has reached a critical point. The council officially declared a housing emergency in October 2023. Council papers have since revealed the stark reality: over 20,000 local people are currently on the housing waiting list, and more than 400 children are living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a severe lack of permanent housing options.
The borough faces increasing pressure to deliver new homes. Currently, Rochdale has a housebuilding target of more than 600 homes per year, set by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. However, this target is set to rise significantly, with the government recently announcing a new annual target of over 900 homes. The council is currently delivering an average of 609 homes per year.
A significant portion of the funding for new affordable housing developments is hoped to come from external sources. The council anticipates that between £1.2 billion and £1.5 billion could become available via the Homes England Social Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), stemming from the recent £2 billion government investment. This potential funding stream would be crucial in enabling more affordable housing projects to be brought forward across the borough.
Town hall bosses are scheduled to meet at Number One Riverside on August 21 to make a final decision on these vital plans, setting the stage for a major push to alleviate Rochdale's housing crisis.
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Next week, the council's cabinet is expected to approve an initial injection of over £4.5 million for the Housing Supply Programme over the next two years. This financial commitment is part of a broader strategy to establish a cumulative £25 million budget for the programme, which is projected to run until 2030.
The ambitious plan comes as the housing situation in Rochdale has reached a critical point. The council officially declared a housing emergency in October 2023. Council papers have since revealed the stark reality: over 20,000 local people are currently on the housing waiting list, and more than 400 children are living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a severe lack of permanent housing options.
The borough faces increasing pressure to deliver new homes. Currently, Rochdale has a housebuilding target of more than 600 homes per year, set by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. However, this target is set to rise significantly, with the government recently announcing a new annual target of over 900 homes. The council is currently delivering an average of 609 homes per year.
A significant portion of the funding for new affordable housing developments is hoped to come from external sources. The council anticipates that between £1.2 billion and £1.5 billion could become available via the Homes England Social Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), stemming from the recent £2 billion government investment. This potential funding stream would be crucial in enabling more affordable housing projects to be brought forward across the borough.
Town hall bosses are scheduled to meet at Number One Riverside on August 21 to make a final decision on these vital plans, setting the stage for a major push to alleviate Rochdale's housing crisis.
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