The UK Government has launched a new Council Housebuilding Support Service to accelerate the delivery of high-quality, affordable council homes across England.
Announced by the Deputy Prime Minister at the LGA Annual Conference, the initiative is fully funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
CHoSS will provide bespoke capacity and capability support to councils, helping them establish or expand their housebuilding programmes. This includes:
- Access to expert advice
- Practical tools and resources
- Peer learning opportunities
- Strategic planning input
The goal is to empower councils to overcome local barriers and deliver more homes for their communities.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:
“This new programme comes at a critical time for local government. Councils want to do more to deliver the council houses their communities need, and this initiative will give them the tools, advice and support to do just that.
“The CHoSS programme is a positive step forward in unlocking the potential of councils to drive local housing delivery at scale, and we are pleased to be working with government on this shared ambition.
“The CHoSS team will work closely with participating authorities over the summer to refine and test the self-assessment tool and co-produce a scalable model for broader rollout later in the year.”
Ten councils have been selected to co-design the programme, shaping the national offer based on real-world challenges. These include:
With Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs):
- Cornwall Council
- Eastbourne Borough Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Salford City Council
- Southampton City Council
Without HRAs:
- London Borough of Merton
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
- Rother District Council
- Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
- Wirral Council
Each will receive customised support during the early phase of the programme.
Following the co-design phase, the full CHoSS offer will be made available to all councils in England. Local authorities are encouraged to register their interest via the official CHoSS webpage.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to tackling the housing crisis, supporting local leadership, and delivering affordable homes where they’re needed most.
Image credit: iStock
