Liverpool seeks to add 400 homes

Releasing small council-owned plots for development will be combined with transferring long-term vacant homes to a registered provider as the city looks to address its housing shortage.

At its meeting on Tuesday 24 February, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet will consider two proposals.

The first is described as a comprehensive programme to release small sites, in the type of in-fill development commonly called for to allow SME developers more opportunity.

LCC will also, pending sign-off, bring 52 long term vacant homes back into use through transfer to a qualified housing provider capable of delivering full refurbishment.

Subject to planning, the local authority’s small sites plan is intended to see homes delivered over the next two to three years, supporting a range of identified local needs, including care leavers, residents requiring temporary accommodation, and adults with support needs.

Sites recently regained by the council—such as at Ducie Street, Jermyn Street and Rosebery Steet in the L8 area—will be included to accelerate regeneration and reduce historic neglect.

Jermyn Street and Ducie Street, where an 80-apartment project had been consented but never begun, were transferred back to the council from West Tree Estates in October last year.

LCC said it has begun early engagement with community members, a process that will be broadened over the coming weeks.

LCC wants to dispose of the sites to registered providers, and the sites will be divided up into six lots, of these the two areas expected to deliver most homes, 108 and 102 respectively, are Dingle & Toxteth, along with Kensington, Fairfield and Edge Hill.

The other four areas are Everton North/Everton West, Arundel & Princes Park, Yew Tree and Princes Park.

The 52 empty homes identified for transfer are located across the city in areas where vacancy levels have historically been among the city’s highest, across Edge Hill, Princes Park, Everton North and Anfield.

The properties were marketed as a package last year and an assessment process carried out, with LCC now set to approve the sale of the properties to the preferred bidder – 17 bids were received, with 11 continuing to the evaluation stage.

The preferred bidder is described in the cabinet report as “a local Liverpool organisation” currently owner and manager of 300 properties across the city and an active developer of new housing.

Conditions attached include the properties being used for people on the council’s housing list and prevention of them being used as HMOs, student housing, or short-term lets.

As set out in the report to cabinet, 15 of the houses will be for people on the council’s housing list who need short‑term accommodation, such as households experiencing homelessness or urgent need – they will be leased back to LCC for this purpose.

The remainder will be brought back into use for family housing, which will be a mix of owner occupation and private rent. Seventeen will be retained and rented, and 20 sold.

Cllr Hetty Wood, cabinet member for housing, said: “This programme represents a major step forward in delivering the high‑quality homes our city needs. By bringing long‑neglected properties back into use and unlocking the potential of smaller sites across our  neighbourhoods, we are not only increasing housing supply but strengthening communities.

“Every home we create or restore is another family with the security, dignity and stability they deserve, and I’m proud that Liverpool is taking bold, practical action to meet that need.”

The transfer is billed as a key decision in the cabinet report as it involves accepting a financial offer of more than £500,000. While this was not the highest bid, it is described as “the most realistic and deliverable bid”.

Cllr Nick Small, member for growth and economy, said: “These properties have stood empty for far too long. Bringing them back into use is vital for our communities and for meeting the growing demand for housing.

“This approach ensures that responsible organisations can invest in these homes, creating safe, high-quality accommodation for families while improving the wider neighbourhoods.”