Swansea’s investment in council houses set to top £55m next year

High-rise homes in Dyfatty will see almost £40m invested in a five-year programme that’ll see tenants’ flats and buildings improved inside and out, including new kitchens, bathrooms, fire and safety upgrades and improved energy-saving insulation.

Funding has also been prioritised for the regeneration of the Tudno and Emrys estate in Penlan to modernise and refurbish the current council properties, creating a safer community for everyone living there.

The council’s pioneering 10-year More Homes initiative will also get a boost to help deliver more affordable homes for rent, with spending on 19 plans and projects including, Brondeg House in Manselton, Creswell Road in Clase, Brokesby Road, Bonymaen and the purchase of land for future schemes.

Funding has also been allocated for the continuation of the Council’s successful scheme to buy back council properties which had been sold off under the former right-to-buy legislation.

The spending is part of the biggest ever investment in council-owned homes for affordable rent in the city, which has seen £500m invested in the last decade and more than 10,000 properties improved.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being asked next week to approve the programme for housing upgrades over the coming 12 months which will need final agreement from Full Council in March. Funding will come from the rents paid by tenants, Welsh Government grants and other sources. None of the spending is from council tax.

Andrea Lewis, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation said Swansea Council’s ambitious spending programme for council housing reflected its commitment to providing high-quality homes that are energy-efficient and affordable for tenants.

She said: “Better homes for our residents are one of the critical building blocks of creating a better future for children, for families and for our city.

She said: “Over the last few years there has been a huge investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds into making sure the homes we own are in good shape and fit for the future under the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

“In the coming year further investment of an estimated £55m will mean hundreds of families will benefit from improvements to their homes.

“Money is also being earmarked for other projects including electrical re-wiring and weather-proofing where needed as well as general environmental improvements.”

Work at the Dyfatty flats has been going for a number of years and the next round of schemes will feature upgrades at Croft Street with work at Griffith John Street coming later on.

When they’re done, tenants will have new kitchens and bathrooms, better internet access and TV reception systems, sprinkler systems in all homes.Increased insulation to improve the thermal performance of the building which will reduce heat loss and energy bills for residents.

The blocks will get new lifts, upgraded safety systems, new windows, CCTV, improved entrances and new roofs. Outside the environment will see improved landscaping, paths, fencing, walls, lights and better CCTV to improve security and safety.

It’s also anticipated that £8.5m will be spent on wind and weatherproofing upgrades for council homes across the city, including Townhill and Mayhill, Sketty, WestCross, Fforesthall, Waunarlwydd, Penlan and Gendros.