5,200 people trying to find a home in one part of Merseyside

Birkenhead: It’s a tough time for many folks in Wirral. Over 5,200 people are on the hunt for social housing, but there just aren’t enough homes to go around. A recent report shows that one housing provider has a vacancy rate of only 0.4%.

This situation was highlighted in a housing update for local councillors before a big meeting on January 20. The UK Government is planning some changes to improve housing, which is a relief for many. One of the key changes is the Renters Rights Bill, expected to pass by summer 2025. This will end no-fault evictions and create a watchdog for private landlords.

Landlords will also be banned from discriminating against tenants who claim benefits or have kids. Plus, there will be stronger rights for pet ownership. It’s about time, right? They’re also tightening rules on rent offers and improving housing quality standards. Councils will get more power to deal with bad landlords, which is a win for everyone.

There are also plans to reform leasehold properties. Wirral Council is part of a government pilot program aimed at tackling damp and mouldy homes. They’ve even hired new staff to check on homes at risk. Since last April, they’ve made hundreds of visits to help out.

However, there are still some properties in Wirral that don’t meet safety standards. Five buildings have been found with cladding that poses a fire hazard, but thankfully, they’re not as dangerous as the Grenfell Tower situation.

The local authority is also running a selective licensing scheme to improve housing standards. So far, they’ve licensed over 4,000 properties, but many still need inspections. The demand for social housing is huge, with only 983 homes advertised last year out of 24,000 available.

Magenta Living, the largest housing provider in Wirral, has just 50 empty homes left. With around 1,000 households at risk of homelessness, the situation is getting serious. The government recently announced a funding boost to help tackle homelessness, increasing Wirral’s budget by 47% this year.

Cllr Tony Jones from the council is optimistic about the new funding. He believes it will help manage the high demand for housing services and support in the area. The goal is to reduce homelessness and prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. It’s a challenging time, but there’s hope on the horizon.