"After years of struggle" delight over plans for more affordable housing across the Fareham borough
Councillors have welcomed the news that a pipeline of 240 homes for social housing is planned across the borough of Fareham.
The council’s housing department has delivered 62 affordable homes across seven sites, with a mix of social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership.
The executive member for housing, Councillor Fred Birkett (Con, Fareham Park), presented a report to his colleagues earlier this month about funding and delivery for the forthcoming Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Members at the executive meeting heard that a further 60 homes will be completed this autumn at Assheton Court in Portchester. It totals a pipeline of 240 affordable homes across Fareham in the next ten years.
Councillor Connie Hockley (Con, Titchfield) said: “I want to cheer after all the years of struggle we’ve had to build houses.”
Councillor Joanne Burton (Con, Sarisbury and Whiteley) said it was good that these affordable homes are peppered across the borough, while Councillor Ian Bastable (Con, Park Gate) agreed that “mixed communities are very important.”
Councillor Bastable added: “Tenants are grateful to have energy-efficient homes that they are happy to live in with their children.”
Future projects totalling 240 affordable homes include the redevelopment of the former town centre Birks Building at 130–136 West Street into 23 affordable homes, plus ground-floor retail shops.
There are 20 social rent homes planned at Fort Fareham’s Redoubt Court, as well as the demolition and redevelopment of flats at two sites in Stubbington, Melvin Jones House, and St Mary’s Road flats will provide homes for over-55s.
In Fareham Park at Menin House, the council has repurchased flats and is looking at its future regeneration. The council has restarted discussions about acquiring land at Wynton Way, Fareham Park with Hampshire County Council to provide future affordable housing.
The council is one of 39 local authorities that has been awarded £179,000 from the government’s Council Housebuilding Support Fund (CHSF) to enable future affordable housing in the borough.
The report also said that the council is working to secure funding from Homes England’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.