More than 330 new council homes could be built in Powys within the next five years to tackle a housing emergency in the county.

Powys County Council cabinet will consider on Tuesday (March 19) its latest housing business plan which will include more than £170m investment that will also include improvements to existing council homes.

The plan also includes investment worth more than £35m over the next five years in the council's existing homes to make sure they continue to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard, which requires houses owned by housing associations and local authorities to be in good condition.

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Other programmes of work include more than £9.6m to make sure all council homes and associated assets are 100 per cent compliant with all relevant and applicable legislation and regulation.

More than £12.5m could be spent to increase fuel efficiency in council homes, reduce fuel poverty, help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change. This will also include funding to encourage and support a greener future for council housing estates.

More than £4.3m could be allocated to make council homes better suited to the needs of older people and those with health-related needs that impair or adversely affect their mobility.

Finally, more than £6.8m of funding will go towards improving the wellbeing of communities through improvements to council homes and estates.


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Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: "This ambitious plan will get the council building high-quality council homes to help us tackle the housing emergency.

"The Homes in Powys - Housing Business Plan puts in place the money needed to make our homes more energy efficient for our tenants - tackling fuel poverty and ensuring council homes are doing their bit to tackle climate change.

"The plan also pledges continued investment in our existing council homes to make sure that we continue to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

"This plan will help build a stronger, fairer, greener future for Powys."