Expanded provision of council homes in Brighton with more than 30 units anticipated

Brighton & Hove Council Ponders Purchase of Kubic Apartments for Affordable Housing

The city of Brighton & Hove is considering the purchase of the Kubic Apartments, a block of 38 new flats located in Whitehawk Way, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing.

The proposed acquisition would be funded through the council's Home Purchase Policy, which allows the council to buy back former council homes and also purchase privately developed homes like the Kubic Apartments. The Housing & New Homes Committee has already approved a report regarding the potential purchase.

If the purchase goes ahead, the Kubic Apartments would be let as council-rented homes, adding to the city's existing supply of affordable housing. The development, which has never been occupied, consists of a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, with two wheelchair-accessible properties.

The affordable housing element of the Kubic Apartments, consisting of 15 flats, was not purchased by housing associations. According to Councillor Gill Williams, chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee, no housing associations expressed interest in purchasing these homes, leading to discussions between the developer and the council about a whole block purchase.

The Kubic Apartments development was granted planning permission in 2018, including an affordable housing element of 15 flats. The city's council is already building more council homes and this purchase would provide a significant boost of 38 more good quality constructed flats.

The Strategy, Finance and Regeneration Committee will make the final decision about the purchase of the Kubic Apartments. The purchase was discussed at a council meeting two weeks ago. If approved, the Kubic Apartments could also be let to existing council tenants who want to downsize.

It is important to note that the search results do not provide information about which private developer company built the Kubic Apartments in Whitehawk Way. Regardless of the developer, the purchase of the Kubic Apartments would be another initiative by the city's council to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Councillor Williams is committed to this cause, stating, "We are determined to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city. The purchase of the Kubic Apartments would be a significant step towards achieving this goal." The final decision about the purchase is expected to be made in the near future.

Expanded provision of council homes in Brighton with more than 30 units anticipated