Colchester City Council is reaffirming its commitment to local families and communities through continued investment in council homes, helping more residents access secure housing and ensuring homes remain safe, energy efficient and fit for the future.
Cabinet will consider the latest update to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan at its next meeting, setting out how we will manage, maintain and invest in our existing housing stock of more than 6,000 council homes over the coming years.
Giving more families a stable home
Providing more affordable homes for local people remains a key priority for the Council.
As part of our housing acquisitions programme, we plan to purchase 65 homes during 2026/27. These new Council homes will help meet local demand and will support more families to move into permanent homes, giving them greater stability and helping them put down roots in their communities.
The programme is also expected to reduce reliance on costly temporary accommodation, helping us manage increasing demand for housing support while focusing resources where they are needed most.
Making the best use of our council homes
The updated business plan also includes investment in a new Rightsizing Strategy, designed to support tenants who want to move to a home that better suits their current needs.
By helping residents rightsize, larger family homes can become available for households currently waiting for suitable accommodation, ensuring the Council’s homes meet the needs of local communities.
The business plan provides the financial capacity for a dedicated officer to be appointed to help deliver the scheme and provide tailored support to tenants considering a move.
Investing in the homes our communities rely on
We continue to invest in maintaining and improving existing homes, recognising the important role good-quality housing plays in residents' health, wellbeing and quality of life.
The updated plan includes provision for future improvements required through the new Decent Homes Standard, while ensuring homes remain safe, compliant and well maintained for current and future tenants.
We are also continuing work to improve energy efficiency across our housing stock, with a commitment for homes to achieve an EPC rating of C or above by 2030.
Planning ahead for future generations
The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan looks ahead over a 30-year period, ensuring investment decisions made today support residents both now and in the future.
The latest review confirms our commitment to delivering high-quality homes, meeting changing housing needs and supporting some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
Councillor Rhys Smithson, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home and we're committed to supporting local families and investing in our communities.
"This plan is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about helping people move into permanent homes, making sure our existing homes remain high quality and ensuring we use our housing stock in the best possible way to meet local need.
"Whether it's helping a family move out of temporary accommodation, supporting
tenants to find a home that better suits their circumstances, or planning improvements for future generations, we're putting residents at the heart of our housing service.
"By continuing to invest in our homes, we're helping build stronger communities and creating opportunities for local people to thrive."
Cabinet will consider the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan update at its
meeting on 21 July 2026.