Liverpool Council is looking at hundreds of properties to dispose of as it looks to raise around millions of pounds.
After admitting that dozens of empty homes the local authority holds are a “drain” on resources and need to be got rid of, Mark Bourgeois, interim city director, said Liverpool must get rid of some properties on its books or face further borrowing. Addressing a sparsely attended meeting of the council’s strategic development and housing committee, Mr Bourgeois said around £10m needs to be generated by getting rid of surplus locations.
In August, a report to the same committee said more than 60 homes would be offloaded that it took ownership of for regeneration purposes as changes in policy mean the buildings are now costing the local authority money that it will not make back. Currently tens of thousands pounds a year are being spent on homes that sit unoccupied.
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Mr Bourgeois told Liverpool Town Hall that a target of £10m has been established for the disposal of properties, with £2.7m generated to date. Another 22 locations are being assessed by the council that could potentially bring about £12.6m, he said, while 200 other properties are under consideration.
A number of homes in Tunstall Street, Toxteth, have already been sold off to Pine Court Housing Association, while units in Anfield, Picton and Granby are also being considered for disposal. More than 70 homes have been transferred to Riverside Housing association as the council “does not have the financial or the organisational capacity to hold and manage housing.”
Mr Bourgeois admitted however, that should the council fail to land its £10m target, it could face further borrowing. Rising interest rates and the increased costs of borrowing has is increasing the squeeze on local authorities and would pose a further challenge for cash-strapped Liverpool Council.
Cold water was slightly poured on the interim director’s projections by Huw Lewis, interim assistant director of the council’s property team, when he admitted to not being entirely confident the authority could reach the £10m target.
Mr Lewis told councillors he was “optimistic we can get a few more million in” but “it will be a challenge.” Changes in council policy mean that in the short to medium term, it is no longer pursuing being a landlord or housebuilder and is seeking to dispose of its housing stock.
Cllr Alan Gibbons cited two locations in his ward of Warbreck and said vacant properties were a “blight” on the city.
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