A report outlining proposals for a significant investment in Falkirk Council’s housing stock will be discussed by elected members at next week’s full Council meeting (31 January).
If agreed, £317.176 million will be spent over the next five years to deliver an ambitious Housing Investment Programme. This includes £187,89 million to improve the quality of existing homes through energy efficiency measures such as new windows and doors and replacement heating systems and renewable energy supplies and £128 million to build and buy around 700 additional affordable homes through the Council New Build Programme and the Buy Back Scheme.
In 2024/25 alone,
- £37.14m is proposed to improve the current housing stock of around 17,000 homes.
- £12.6 million to build a range of new homes including wheelchair accessible home and family homes across three key sites at Woodend Farm, Haugh Gardens, Langlees and Oakbank, Polmont
- £8.5 million to purchase 80 ex local authority homes through the Council’s successful Buy Back Scheme
Council rents 2024/25
Council rents could increase by 5.0% from 1 April for the Council’s 16,200 tenants (or an average of £3.75 per week with an average rent of £78.67 per week). More than 60% of all tenants will be fully protected from any increase due to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs.
The Housing Investment Programme and Housing Revenue Account is entirely separate from the Council’s other budgets. Revenue raised by rents and grants can only be reinvested in housing programmes and in no other aspect of Council services.
Kenny Gillespie, Head of Housing and Communities said: "This report outlines the key priorities for the next five years and proposes significant expenditure to uphold the quality and energy efficiency standards of our housing stock and meet the needs of our tenants.
“It is for elected members to agree the levels of investment and the proposed rent increase at the full council meeting on the 31 January.”
Read the Housing Investment Programme 2024-29 report here
Read the Housing Revenue Account & Council House Rents 2024-25 here