Halton’s borough-wide Housing Strategy has been launched by the Council.

The Housing Strategy for Halton sets out an ambitious five-year agenda to address housing issues within the area and enable residents to achieve their aspirations to live in quality, affordable and sustainable homes.

The strategy is underpinned by an evidence base (called the Housing Needs Assessment) and has been prepared through an inclusive process of engagement with many organisations with an interest in housing locally. This included a survey sent to around one in four households across Runcorn and Widnes.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Phil Harris, Portfolio Holder for Housing Strategy, said: “As the Council lead, it is a privilege to introduce the first Housing Strategy for Runcorn and Widnes in over a decade. This is an ambitious strategy for a five-year period, but it is also intended to lay the foundations for meeting the long-term housing needs and aspirations of our residents. I would like to thank all residents and partners who have helped shape the housing strategy.

“The timing of this strategy is also important. Last year the government earmarked £700 million to support delivery of 16,000 new social and affordable homes in the Liverpool City Region. Alongside this the Combined Authority is developing a new multi-million pound fund to unlock house building across the city-region with a focus on brownfield land and derelict sites.  Having our housing strategy in place, along with a pipeline of sites, will put Halton in a strong position to secure investment over coming years.

“The focus of the Council is now on delivery and we have identified our short terms actions. This will require continuing to work closely with partners across the housing sector.

Examples of the short-term actions that the Council will be taking include:

  • Bringing in Selective Licensing in parts of the borough to raise standards in the private rented sector for the benefit of private tenants and their neighbours.
  • Establishing an Affordable and Specialist Housing Fund, through commuted sums from developer contributions to invest in local housing need.
  • Creation of a new Local Connections Policy that will help local people to access local home ownership – by having more priority.
  • Providing choice and dignity for people to live independently as they age, including increased older person’s housing provision.
  • Publication of a Specialist Housing Prospectus, to improve the local housing offer for people most at need, such as survivors of domestic violence and abuse, young people leaving care and those experiencing homelessness. This will also help reduce the need for more costly out-of-borough provision or temporary accommodation.

For a copy of the Housing Strategy for Halton 2026 – 2031 and Housing Needs Assessment, please visit the Council’s website at https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/Housing-Strategy.aspx