Richmond Council agrees funding to tackle overcrowding

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

Overcrowded families living in social housing in Richmond upon Thames are set to benefit from a new scheme to fund extensions to existing family homes, due to a grant of £750,000 to be agreed at Richmond Council’s Cabinet meeting on the 24th of May.

The funding, sourced from the Council’s Housing Capital Fund, can be applied for by all local providers of social housing in the borough including: Richmond Housing Partnership, Richmond upon Thames Churches Housing Trust and Thames Valley Housing.

The scheme allows providers to add extensions to existing social housing to increase the amount of family-sized homes in the borough and tackle overcrowding.

Extending homes by one or two bedrooms allows families to stay in the same area and keep the security of existing support networks, rather than having to relocate.

Cllr Nicola Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Adults Services, Health and Housing said, “This funding will go towards strengthening the current housing supply in the borough. Although we are always on the lookout for new affordable housing sites and opportunities to tackle the lack of housing we have locally, it is vital that we work with our local housing providers to make the best use of what we already have.

“It can be difficult to have to relocate if your family grows or changes, it may mean that you have to place your child in a different school or you lose your support system when you move to a different area.

“I am thrilled that we can continue to fund this programme of works as I feel it will really benefit local providers who will be able to tackle overcrowding issues that may arise and maximise the potential of the properties that need it most.”

The funding allows for a maximum of £50,000 for a two-bedroom extension and £35,000 for a one-bedroom extension. Loft conversions will also be eligible to apply.