Council to buy nearly 150 homes as demand grows

Rotherham Council plans to build, or buy, 1,000 homes for council rent by summer 2027

Rotherham Council has announced plans to buy and rent out nearly 150 new homes across the borough.

The plan is part of the council's 2018 target to build, or buy, 1,000 homes which would then be available to rent through the council by summer 2027.

The council is expected to approve the decision to acquire 147 homes at a cabinet meeting on 10 February.

Sarah Allen, cabinet member for housing, said demand for council housing was rising, with more than 7,200 households currently on the housing register.

"It's vital we continue to work at pace to ensure more residents have a safe, secure place to call home," she said.

A council report ahead of the meeting in February outlined the growing need for affordable homes across the borough, noting that demand had been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.

But the council also confirmed that an earlier plan to develop 163 homes would not be taken forward, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

These include homes on sites in East Herringthorpe, Thurcroft and West Melton, which were deemed too constrained for development.

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