South Ribble Borough Council has approved a new, refreshed housing strategy to come into play from 2026 until 2031.
This new strategy sets out a five-year plan to deliver more affordable homes across the borough whilst improving housing quality and provide targeted support to vulnerable residents.
The council is committed to ensuring that it’s new Housing Strategy can combat the cost-of-living crisis throughout the borough whilst aiming to promote economic growth for the area.
The council’s previous housing strategy expired in 2025. This strategy lasted from 2020-2025 and saw many achievements made possible because of it. Throughout the tenure of the last strategy, the council delivered upon building the first council owned homes, increased social rent housing supply, delivered Jubilee Gardens extra care facility, supported energy efficiency improvements, expanded disabled facilities grant programme and contributed to the Central Lancashire Local Plan development.
Commenting, Cllr Colin Sharples, Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing said:
“I am delighted to announce South Ribble’s new Housing Strategy for 2026 – 2031, the next five years hope to bring about so much positive change and improvements across our local area.
“Through this strategy we’ll see the delivery on a stronger supply of affordable and social housing, improving the quality of current houses and dedicating support to those who require it most.
“I know the housing crisis is one of the biggest concerns amongst residents and that is why this council is committed to doing everything it can to ensure residents can feel confident when it comes to housing across South Ribble.”
2026 – 2031’s strategy can be broken down into three strategic priorities:
- Deliver affordable and social housing supply
The council is committed to increasing the number and variety of homes available throughout the borough. The
South Ribble Council is committed to working with developers and partners via the Central Lancashire Local plan, investing £1 million into new housebuilding projects, deliver new housing developments (including 38 Town Deal homes), explore expanded roles as a social landlord, improving housing allocation systems and process, develop policies for council-owned and supported housing and increase temporary accommodation and resettlement units.
- Improve housing quality and sustainability
South Ribble Borough Council is committed to raising the standards within existing homes and is dedicated to ensuring safety for residents.
It is committed to implementing and enforcing the Renters Reform Act requirements, increasing enforcement capacity and tenant and landlord awareness, bringing empty homes back into use with new incentive schemes, improving energy efficiency, expanding adaptations and minor repairs services and working with letting agents to prevent homelessness.
- Targeted support for communities in need
To support vulnerable residents and preventing homelessness across the borough, the council is committed to:
Delivering upon a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, providing access to advice services as well as fuel poverty support, using the Crisis and Resilience Fund to help with energy efficiency improvements and emergency fuel payments, deliver programmes like Cosy Homes in Lancashire, increase temporary accommodation through national funding and hosting an annual housing conference.
When the council began its consultation phase for the new housing strategy, it was apparent amongst residents that there was a strong desire for more affordable housing, improved housing quality and support for vulnerable groups.
Taking this and many other areas on board, the Council has incorporated resident’s feedback into the new strategy ensuring that this is a housing strategy that needs to needs of residents throughout the borough.