£10m to be invested into over 200 Wiltshire Homes

Wiltshire Council have allocated huge funds to provide up to 250 homes to address the county’s shortage.

In February 2023 the local authority announced that they had set aside £10m in reserves to buy homes and now this will be utilised as equity to buy up to £40m worth of housing to help tackle issues that have spawned from the cost-of-living and social care.

In addition, more homes are being provided to get families out of temporary accommodation.

Wiltshire Council has estimated that it could invest more than £50m across a number of government programmes. Speaking of the government, the county was also allocated a government grant of just over £4m to acquire 24 homes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.

The grant was given through the Local Authority Housing Fund.

Richard Clewer, council leaders, said: ‘We are committed to this significant investment as a clear indication we are taking an innovative and serious approach to addressing housing issues in Wiltshire.

‘We are using funding ringfenced for Ukrainians to support them whilst using our own funding to provide housing support for Wiltshire residents.’

In relation to the grant provided for refugee homes, a spokesperson said the funding would be ‘leveraged up through borrowing at a rate of 40% grant funding and 60% debt’.

This means the total amount available would be higher and the council’s own company, Stone Circle Housing, would be used to acquire the homes and it is anticipated it will be more than a £50m investment to deliver up to 250 homes which will support long term needs and fulfil the commitment to house Ukrainian and Afghan families.

Mr Clewer added: ‘Our business plan underlines our mission to have the right housing. These proposals will ensure across the breadth of council services that secure housing plays a key part in providing long term solutions to solving residents’ needs.’

Image: Ivy Barn