Council chosen for government homebuilding scheme

Southampton City Council has been invited to join a government programme aimed at increasing the number of council homes built in the city.

It is one of ten councils to be chosen for the Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) which will provide councils with access to training and resources to up-skill their housebuilding teams.

Speaking about the scheme - which will be fully funded by the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government - Cllr Louise Gittins said the announcement "comes at a critical time".

"Councils want to do more to deliver the council houses their communities need, and this initiative will give them the tools, advice and support to do just that," she added.

The CHoSS will also complement the work of the Association of Directors of Housing by creating a peer-to-peer network - which will enable councils to work together more effectively.

According to the latest data there were 8,977 households on the Housing Register in Southampton in 2024.

Sian Atkinson is currently on the register herself while already renting a council flat in Shirley. But she won't be contributing to this figure because it excludes existing council tenants seeking a transfer.

Because she is living with three children, Ms Atkinsom has been allowed to join the register to look for larger accommodation on grounds of being 'overcrowded'.

"My bed is in the alcove of the living room so I don't have any privacy."

Ms Atkinson says she's been waiting for two years to get out of her current flat in Shirley and hopes the new service will increase her chances of moving to a bigger home for her and the kids.

"I can't wait to get out of here and have my own bedroom again".

"It get's me excited."

Bethany Filce has been living in her council flat in Shirley for almost nine years but isn't able to rejoin the housing register.

She says while she hopes the service will help people who "do need more help", it "would be nice to go somewhere else".

Councillor Andy Frampton, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations at Southampton City Council, said:

"This announcement is great news, as we know there is a need for more decent homes for our residents...and the Council Housebuilding Service will give them access to key resources, training and peer-to-peer support."

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