A new five-year strategy has been launched by a Cumbrian council to manage and invest in its housing.
Westmorland & Furness Council owns 2,575 properties across six main housing estates – the bulk on five Barrow estates and 81 in Penrith.
Over 38% were built before 1930.
The 39-page strategy, which was agreed by its cabinet this week, said: “The council recognises it has difficult decisions to make regarding improvements to existing stock, whilst meeting challenging targets to build new homes for the social rented sector.”
It pledges to make sure tenants are treated with fairness and respect, make sure homes meet a decent standard and have a long-term investment plan to identify new build housing opportunities to help reduce housing demand.
The council’s homes meet the national Decent Homes standard, which set the minimum standards for the condition of social homes, ensuring they are safe, warm, and functional.
However, the authority added: “We know we must continue to invest to continue to improve.”
It said planned maintenance costs over the 30-year business planning period were estimated to be £125,370,678 which equated to an average of £48,688 per property.
It added: “This can be further broken down to an average of £1,623 per property per year.”
The strategy has been informed by a 2023 stock condition survey by Rand Associates, assessing long-term maintenance needs and guiding future investment.
It was also been shaped through input from council colleagues, locality board discussions, and consultation with the Tenants Forum, it added.
Feedback from the council’s annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey has also influenced priorities, ensuring resident needs are at the heart of investment decisions, the council said.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “Our priority is to provide safe, good-quality homes where residents want to live.
“This strategy ensures we continue to invest in our housing stock in a sustainable way, meeting high standards for safety, energy efficiency, and maintenance. By taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach, we can make the best use of resources and deliver real benefits for our communities.
“The strategy links to our wider objectives, recognising that good-quality housing supports health and wellbeing, strengthens communities, drives decarbonisation, and contributes to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and fostering social inclusion.”
The Housing Asset Management Strategy will be regularly reviewed, the council said.
