18/10/2024: Breckland Council secures £1.24m to deliver housing support initiatives

Breckland Council has secured more than one million pounds in central government funding to support its ongoing work to deliver essential housing support. 

At a meeting of Council on 17 October, councillors formally accepted £1.24m through the Local Authority Housing Fund. It will be used to acquire 10 properties, helping to ensure residents facing housing challenges have access to safe, secure accommodation. 

In addition to receiving the external funding, the council also approved a comprehensive funding package, including using £224,000 from Section 106 contributions - money secured for the district from developer contributions as part of the planning process. This strategic investment will allow the council to effectively match-fund the acquisition of the properties, bolstering its efforts to provide sustainable housing solutions. 

Breckland Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Planning, Councillor Sarah Suggitt welcomed the funding boost, saying: "This investment is a critical step forward in our mission to ensure that vulnerable individuals and families in Breckland have access to the housing they need. 

"This is a significant achievement for the council. Due to underspending in central government in the Local Authority Housing Fund, we took the opportunity to submit a second bid, having already received funding previously. This was a little mischievous on our part, but it perfectly represents the tireless work that Breckland Council is known for in campaigning nationally to provide the best support and services we can locally by bringing national funding to local delivery. 

"The combined funding allows us to strengthen our housing support and provide more long-term solutions for those who are facing the toughest circumstances. We are committed to making sure no one is left behind in our community, and this initiative demonstrates our continued dedication to that goal."