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Housing

Leicester City Council's Housing Crisis: A Cycle of Failure?

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The city council's attempt to increase housing stock by purchasing existing homes from landlords has been met with skepticism, particularly given the department's poor track record in maintaining their current housing stock. The existing homes are in dire need of repairs and refurbishments, and are unlikely to be disability-friendly. The waiting lists for renovations and new housing are staggering, with some lists running as long as nine years. Meanwhile, the council has failed to build new council houses despite having permission to do so years ago.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city council's housing department has a poor track record in maintaining their existing housing stock, with issues including mould, terrible repair rates, and long waiting lists.
  • The department's waiting list for renovations for disabled homeowners has reached nine years, causing significant distress for those affected.
  • Despite having permission to do so, the council has failed to build new council houses, exacerbating the housing shortage in the city.
  • The council's latest initiative to purchase existing homes from landlords is unlikely to address the root causes of the housing shortage, given the need for repairs and refurbishments.
  • The council's inaction on this issue has allowed a cycle of failure to continue, with no clear indication of when or how it will be addressed.
  • The lack of accountability from the council's mayor and councillors has enabled this situation to persist, despite the harm it causes to tenants and families.

Statistics:

  • 9 years: the waiting list for renovations for disabled homeowners.
  • Unknown: the number of existing homes in need of repairs and refurbishments.
  • None: the number of new council houses built despite having permission to do so years ago.
  • 100%: the failure rate of the council's housing department in maintaining their existing housing stock.
  • Growing: the number of families affected by the housing shortage in Leicester.

Sources:

  • Mags Lewis
  • Leicester CAPTION(S): DEPUTY LEADER: Lucy Powell GETTY

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