Somerset calls for flexible funding in housing announcements
Local authority urges government to allow tailored use of housing investment funds
Somerset Council has expressed support for recent housing investment announcements while emphasising the need for local flexibility to effectively meet community needs.
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, the Lead Member for Communities at Somerset Council, has called on the Government to allow local authorities to steer funding to areas where it will have the greatest impact, reflecting their understanding of local housing pressures.
The demand for affordable housing in Somerset is rising, with 13,149 households registered on Homefinder Somerset as of 30th June 2026. This demand is fuelled by factors such as affordability challenges, shifts in demographic trends, and the need for homes that are well-suited to family requirements.
As part of Somerset’s housing development strategy, the council plans to deliver 580 new council homes over the next few years and collaborate with housing associations, developers, and local communities to boost housing supply across the region.
Councillor Smith-Roberts highlighted a significant obstacle to increasing housing provision, stating that historic self-financing debt in Housing Revenue Accounts impedes further investment in new housing. Somerset continues to service over £133 million of this debt, which they argue could be reinvested into building additional homes if wiped out.
The council believes that clearing this debt would enable the creation of approximately 630 more council homes, effectively doubling the number planned through the existing strategy, thereby enhancing stability for families across Somerset.