THERE are currently 8,887 active applications for social housing in St Helens.

Of these, 4,717 people are waiting for one bedroom, 2,632 people are waiting for two bedrooms, 1,165 people are waiting for three bedrooms and 373 people are waiting for four bedrooms plus.

Under One Roof, which is delivered for St Helens Council by Torus, is the name of the allocations scheme that administers the letting of social rented properties.

As a strategic housing authority, St Helens Council continues to work with registered providers of housing and Homes England to bring forward new developments of affordable housing, both affordable rent and improving access to home ownership.

The council has recently approved consultation on a draft borough housing strategy and this identifies future needs for affordable homes and priorities for the coming five years.

During 2020-21, the council says 43 per cent of net new completions of new housing were affordable homes.

What the council is saying

Cllr Jeanie Bell, the council’s cabinet member for safer, stronger communities said: “The council’s priority is to build quality and accessible homes for everyone in the borough over the next five years and to improve and strengthen our neighbourhoods.

“Our new housing strategy will be central to this approach and will be focused on delivering quality in the homes that we build and more investment in the existing homes and neighbourhoods that we live in.

“We are also keen to ensure that all residents have opportunities to live in a home that meets their needs and aspirations.”

The council has confirmed that its annual housing target is to create a minimum of 486 homes and that it is working with its partners to ensure a number of these houses will be affordable homes, including affordable rent.

Furthermore, responding to the Lords’ built environment committee report, Meeting the UK’s housing demand, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said: “We fully support the committee’s call for more investment in increasing social housing stock, if we are to tackle the housing crisis.

“By giving councils the powers and resources to build 100,000 much-needed social homes a year, we can help the Government meet its annual target of 300,000 new homes. This should include further reform of Right to Buy.”

To view the council’s draft housing strategy consultation visit sthelens.gov.uk/housingstrategy.