Brighton council in £74.6m bid to tackle 'housing crisis'

A £74.6m scheme to tackle a "housing crisis" in Brighton will be considered by the city council on Monday.

The money would be used over three years to built new houses, refurbish council homes, and bring empty properties back into use.

Under the plans, at least 70 long-term empty council homes would be returned to use and 35 new homes built.

Councillor Liz Wakefield said the city had a chronic shortage of homes but the aim was to make a real difference.

The cabinet member for housing said: "The current public spending squeeze means we face a real challenge in dealing with the city's housing crisis."

She said the council also faced the prospect of more residents facing housing problems.

And she added: "As a council we're determined to build new homes, improve our homes and bring long-term council and private sector empty homes back into use."