Housing Strategy Action Plan 2026

Ensure Brighton & Hove City Council complies with the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and meets the 4 consumer standards that underpin the legislation

We will:

• continue engagement with the regulator in relation to meeting the consumer standards and collate evidence to demonstrate compliance
• ensure improvement plans are delivered on schedule for each of the 4 consumer standards (including Creating Great Homes Together, Housing (Safety and Quality) and Consumer Standards)

Provide a repairs and maintenance service for council-owned housing

We will:

• reduce the backlog of housing repairs
• remodel the existing contractor framework by December 2026
• implement the Strategic Management Plan to fully meet electrical safety compliance by December 2026
• launch a repairs and maintenance policy co-produced with tenants by September 2026
• undertake incoming and lateral mains testing to all low, medium and high rise buildings
• complete lateral mains replacement and upgrade in 6 blocks

Invest in building and fire safety to meet duties under the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety (England) Regulations and ensure we are compliant with Health & Safety

We will:

• deliver action plans aligned to key priority actions in the Housing Health and Safety Action Plan 2026 to 2027 for gas, electric, water, asbestos, lifts, and fire risk by March 2027
• fully meet the requirements of Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 for tenants who may not be able to evacuate on their own
• design and deliver a capital programme for water safety in 2026 to 2027

Deliver planned and major works capital programmes

We will:

• agree Asset Management Plan 2026 to 2027 with Cabinet (May 2026)
• deliver 2026 to 2027 Asset Management Plan
• deliver year 1 of the stock condition survey programme
• complete major and planned works as per the delivery schedule

Improve the condition of private rented sector accommodation

We will:

• agree on a new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (April 2026)
• implement phase 1 requirements of the Renters Rights Act (May 2026) and prepare for phase 2 requirements
• publish an interim review of the existing Selective Licensing Scheme (June 2026)
• roll out the selective licensing scheme to further wards in 2026 to 2027 (October 2026)
• undertake fire remediation actions - by identifying medium and high-rise (11-18m) private sector blocks with potentially unsafe cladding and link through to the government's Cladding Safety Scheme

Improve the energy performance of homes

We will:

• complete current photovoltaic (PV) programme for council-owned homes
• complete decarbonisation of the Manor Paddock Seniors Housing Scheme
• deliver year 2 of the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund project - 40 homes to be retrofitted to minimum EPC C
• complete the mobilisation of collective solar purchasing scheme across Sussex, providing low carbon technologies to private households, and complete round 1 of the scheme

Progress workstreams on future options for the 3 masterplanning areas (St James House, Nettleton Court, Dudeney Lodge, Swallow Court, Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court and Kingfisher Court)

We will:

• procure with residents an Independent Tenant & Leaseholder Advisor (ITLA) to support residents through rehousing and design development stages
• identify delivery routes for each masterplan area following design and financial due diligence
• co-design with residents the communications, engagement and involvement charter

Accelerate place-based engagement and evidence mobilisation to shape the new Brighton & Hove City Plan

We will:

• issue and publish the ‘notice of intention' to commence local plan preparation
• undertake the scoping consultation
• carry out a consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence

Reduce the number of private sector long-term empty homes in the city

We will:

• bring 100 long-term empty homes (1 year plus) back into use by March 2027
• review options for using the social and affordable homes
• use programme funding to bring empty properties into use for affordable housing

Increase supply of affordable homes - rented and low-cost ownership

We will:

• deliver 159 additional council homes (new build, acquisitions and conversions) by March 2027
• deliver year 1 of the Local Authority Housing Fund (phase 4) programme
• deliver year 1 of the Temporary Accommodation (TA) Supply Strategy
• review existing council assets to establish the best opportunities for developing more affordable homes
• secure future sites through Homes for Brighton & Hove to achieve 1,000 new homes over the lifetime of the project
• deliver the new-build delivery programme in 2026 to 2027, including completion at:
  • Frederick Street (4 homes)
  • former Hollingbury Library site (9 homes)
  • other small sites (16 homes)

Create new social housing lets by reducing under-occupancy

We will:

• develop our downsizing strategy

Reduce the number of short-term lets and second homes in the city

We will:

• prepare for potential changes in legislation in relation to short-term lets
• review the impact of a 100% council tax charge on 2nd home ownership (March 2027)

Reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation

We will:

• deliver the actions within the Temporary Accommodation Reduction Action Plan
• deliver year 1 of the Temporary Accommodation (TA) Supply Strategy
• work with registered providers to develop an Exempt Supported TA model

Improve the quality of temporary accommodation

We will:

• implement the dynamic market for temporary accommodation to increase the supply and quality of accommodation
• reduce the unit cost of temporary accommodation, including reducing reliance on high-cost nightly paid accommodation and improving value for money through the dynamic market and supply strategy
• undertake a pilot scheme providing grants to private landlords to improve energy efficiency of their homes
• define compliance standards within the dynamic market specification to ensure providers are aligned with national policy; there will be a trauma-informed approach requirement to housing management standards in these arrangements

Deliver homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

We will:

• include MHCLG local plan actions in the strategy action plan, which is due for publication in September 2026
• establish a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Partnership Board in June 2026 
• continue with implementation, which is underway, with work on key deliverables captured under HS16, HS17, HS19, HS20 and HS21

Commission single homeless services (Street Outreach, Housing First)

We will:

• re-procure the Housing First and Street Outreach Services in 2027

Develop joined-up approaches for those most at risk of harm or where there is greater impact if they become homeless

We will:

• increase our co-location with external services, following data review of areas to be targeted by the end of 2026
• develop a risk assessment and first stage of a 'no first night out' model for those at risk of experiencing rough sleeping by summer 2027

Support and resettle refugees and asylum seekers

We will:

• deliver our commitments as a City of Sanctuary
• support the refugee resettlement programmes, including identifying suitable properties in the private rented sector
• acquire other properties through the Local Authority Housing Fund in 2026 to 2027

Ensure that people can live in safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods and feel safe in their homes

We will: 

• complete a review of the Estate Development Budget and maximise opportunities for social value to support the scheme
• deliver safer communities improvement projects, including:
  • improving awareness of reporting routes and escalation
  • the provision of consistent advice and staff training
  • introducing community commitments that support positive behaviours
• implement a Neighbourhood Health Model
• agree on a Vulnerability Policy

Support older people to be independent and resilient

We will:

• complete a Seniors Housing Review to strengthen the value of the service for residents, building upon what’s worked well, especially in terms of preventative and wellbeing work

Support people with additional support needs to be independent and resilient

We will:

• deliver the elements of the learning disability strategy housing action plan, autism action plan and mental health action plan where resources have been committed by partners, and seek further resources where these are not available

Meet the requirements of the Supported Housing (Regulatory) Oversight Act 2023

We will:

• complete provider mapping and stakeholder engagement, including a call for evidence
• complete a needs assessment of supported housing provision for the city (December 2026)
• deliver the new Supported Housing Strategy (March 2027)
• prepare for anticipated introduction of mandatory licensing for supported housing (date to be confirmed)

Enable people to live independently in their homes by providing housing adaptations

We will:

• provide and deliver adaptations for those in need - £4.8m of investment in 2026 to 2027:
  • £1.83m for council-owned homes
  • £2.97m for privately owned homes through the Disabled Facilities Grant

Meet requirements of Awaab's Law Phase 2

We will:

• prepare for Phase 2 of Awaab's Law, which will make response times legally enforceable for a wider range of serious housing hazards, including excess cold and heat, fall risks, structural safety issues, fire and electrical hazards, and hygiene or sanitation problems (expected October 2026)

Ensure that tenants’ views are at the heart of decision-making about the delivery of our landlord services

We will:

• deliver year 2 of the Transforming Tenant Engagement Action Plan 2025 to 2027 
• establish a working group to oversee progress
• produce a Tenant Engagement Strategy
• create a resident scrutiny panel for the repairs service
• provide a training programme for tenants so they can take part with confidence

Brighton & Hove City Council to become a great landlord

We will:

• deliver year 1 of our 'Creating Great Homes Together - Continuous Improvement Plan' by March 2027
• strengthen our approach to complaints handling by March 2027

Provide housing information and advice appropriate to the needs of our diverse communities

We will:

• review the customer journey and information on housing services webpages as part of a council-wide website refresh
• explore alternative digital tools for engaging with customers

Ensure that our housing workforce has the relevant skills and competencies to deliver an effective service to all residents

We will:

• meet the Regulator of Social Housing's conduct and competence requirements for staff, including agreeing a learning and development policy, Code of Conduct, and commencing a programme of mandatory qualifications for relevant staff (October 2026)

Work with other social landlords to share intelligence, pool resources, and work on shared priorities

We will:

• carry out a stakeholder event for our Supported Housing Strategy (June 2026)
• work in partnership with registered providers to review options for an exempt accommodation model for registered providers
• enter into a 125-year lease with Southdown (registered provider) to manage and act as the landlord for the Brickfields Housing Scheme
• consult with registered providers on a new Tenancy Strategy (September 2026)

Work with NHS and other partners to improve services and support for people with multiple, compound needs

We will:

• the Homeless & Multiple Compound Needs Integrated Care Team will support the delivery of priority 3 of the new homeless and rough sleeping strategy, providing joined-up services for those most in need
• test a new model of integrated health and care in reach support into New Stiene Mews hostel
• complete annual multiple needs audit to understand prevalence of multiple complex needs within the city's homeless population

Deliver on LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge

We will:

• ensure that LGBTQ+ council residents have input at a strategic level
• provide LGBTQ+ inclusion training to staff
• submit evidence that we meet the required standards to Stonewall (May 2027)