Colchester City Council has purchased three new council homes at Chesterwell in Mile End, marking an important milestone in its ongoing work to ensure everyone in the city has access to a safe, warm and secure place to call home.
The new homes contribute to the council’s wider programme to increase the supply of affordable housing for local people. This includes building new homes, bringing existing properties back into use through its buyback programme, working with local developers to purchase new-build homes, and making the best use of council-owned land and buildings wherever possible.
While the delivery of these homes helps to meet housing targets, the council is clear that the housing crisis remains very real. Demand for affordable housing in Colchester continues to outstrip supply, with many households still living in temporary accommodation. The council remains committed to continuing its work to deliver more homes and improve housing outcomes for residents, now and for generations to come.
Homes that help families build secure futures
For families facing housing insecurity, a settled home is more than just somewhere to live – it is the foundation for stability, wellbeing and opportunity.
One such family is Lisa* and her two children, who have recently moved into a new three-bedroom home. After becoming homeless through no fault of her own, Lisa and her children spent three years in temporary accommodation, including a one-bedroom flat where all three shared a single room. One of her children has autism, making the lack of space and stability particularly challenging.
Now settled in their new home, Lisa says her children feel happier, more secure and better able to put down roots in their local community. Lisa, who works for the NHS, described the move as a dream come true and a turning point for her family.
Taking action across housing – not just building new homes
While delivering new housing remains a key priority, the council recognises that addressing housing need requires a wide-ranging and long-term approach.
Alongside delivering new homes, the council is continuing to improve the quality and energy efficiency of its housing stock and support residents to move into homes that better suit their needs. This includes promoting voluntary rightsizing for Colchester Borough Homes tenants, helping residents whose housing needs have changed to move to more suitable homes, while freeing up much-needed family housing for those in urgent need.
By making better use of available homes and investing in long-term solutions, the council aims to strengthen communities, reduce homelessness, and ensure housing supports health, wellbeing and opportunity.
Councillor Julie Young, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “Completing these new homes is a positive step, but it does not mean our work is finished. Too many people in Colchester are still affected by housing insecurity, and we know the housing crisis will not be solved overnight.
That’s why our approach goes beyond simply building new homes. We are also supporting existing tenants to right-size where changes in their household or health mean their current home no longer meets their needs. For some residents, a large family home can feel difficult to manage, and moving to a smaller, more accessible property can make a real difference to their comfort, independence and wellbeing.
Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe, warm place to call home, and that belief underpins everything we do. By delivering new affordable homes, bringing existing homes back into use, and making better use of the homes we already have, we are working to give residents stability and the opportunity to build better futures.”