COUNCILLORS in Basildon are planning a major expansion of social housing in the district - building more new homes and improving those currently within the housing stock.

Proposals to invest millions into creating clean and safe estates and building more homes for borough residents were considered by councillors at last night's (Tuesday, 22 June) meeting of the housing and estate renewal committee where it was agreed to work on the development of a 'Safe and Sound Estates' Estate Renewal Strategy and a proposal to build an extra 200 homes as part of the housing development programme.

Committee chairman Cllr Andrew Schrader said: "Tackling estate renewal is my top priority and we are committed to providing more much-needed Basildon homes for Basildon people.

"We have made significant investment in previous years and we stand ready to invest even more to ensure our tenants have decent homes that meet the new standards as well as contribute to our net-zero carbon target."

"We are also helping the most vulnerable through Discretionary Housing Payments."

"Throughout, we will remain committed to listening to residents and their priorities will guide everything we do."

It is anticipated that this programme of estate renewal will require an investment of £10million a year for four years.

Councillors heard the authority currently has £59 million set aside in its capital programme for this work. Funding for an additional 200 homes would be in the region of £54 million.