Extra funding to deliver new homes for residents in housing need

Hastings Borough Council is pleased to announce that it has been allocated more than £3.5million through the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 4 to deliver urgently needed homes for residents in housing need.  

Under this round of funding, the council has been offered support to deliver 26 homes over four years (2026/27 to 2029/30). In addition, the Government has invited expressions of interest from local authorities able to deliver more than their initial allocation, and Hastings Borough Council has confidently put itself forward to do more. If approved, Hastings could access up to £7.028million in total grant funding to deliver 52 homes, which would see it double its delivery under the programme.  

This investment would provide match funding for the council’s Phase 3 Housing Acquisition Programme and support the delivery targets set out in both the Housing Strategy and Corporate Plan, complementing the £12million already allocated in the council’s 2026/27 capital budget for development and acquisitions. 

In line with Government requirements, homes funded through LAHF Round 4 must be used as temporary accommodation for homeless households, with a proportion prioritised for families resettled under the Afghan Resettlement Programme. This means that, from the 26 homes currently allocated, a minimum of 21 will be dedicated to temporary accommodation and five for Afghan resettlement.  

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council and lead councillor for housing and community wellbeing, said: “We are grateful for this funding, which will help us reduce the money we have to spend on temporary accommodation and provide safe and secure homes for residents in housing need. Housing is the key priority in our Corporate Plan and this investment will help us reduce poverty and improve living conditions across our community.  

“Homes that we have bought using funding from previous rounds are already being lived in, by families who were previously in expensive nightly-paid placements. Our success under previous rounds shows we can deliver at pace, and we are committed to achieving even more for our residents. 

“We are keen to support the resettlement of Afghan nationals through the Afghan Resettlement Programme as, by leading this ourselves, we can guarantee the quality of the homes provided, and better manage the prices paid for properties.” 

Homes delivered under LAHF must meet the council’s Fit to Let standard, which includes requirements for improved energy performance. Considerable work is undertaken to upgrade properties, including improved heating systems, window replacements and enhanced insulation measures. 

These improvements ensure all homes achieve at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, reducing fuel poverty and improving living conditions for residents while supporting the council’s broader climate and housing quality commitments.

Before funding can be formally accepted, the proposal will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on Monday 2 March. 

Residents can read the full report, and watch the Cabinet meeting online or attend in person.