Portsmouth City Council will present ambitious proposals to upgrade its social housing stock at a decision meeting on 7 November, with £110 million earmarked for high-rise improvements by 2030.
Portsmouth Homes, the council’s social housing division, will update the Housing and Tackling Homelessness decision meeting on Friday 7 November regarding progress made since receiving a C3 regulatory judgement from the government’s housing regulator in January.
A report detailing the improvements will be presented at the meeting, outlining work undertaken to meet new consumer standards for social housing landlords introduced in April 2024. These standards require landlords to provide data and evidence demonstrating compliance and quality service delivery to tenants.
The council implemented an Improvement Plan following the regulatory judgement, aiming to upgrade properties and develop comprehensive knowledge of its housing stock. A key element involves accelerating planned maintenance across the city’s 22 high-rise buildings.
The original seven-year building safety remediation programme has been compressed to five years, with the council targeting completion or near-completion of improvements to most high-rises by 2030. The £110 million investment will see tower block residents receive home upgrades, with some requiring temporary relocation during works. Affected residents will receive advance notice and full council support.
Ladywood House residents have been informed they will receive the first improvements, with onsite work commencing in late 2026. The council will contact affected residents well in advance to discuss arrangements, whilst staff conduct regular block inspections to maintain safety standards.
Portsmouth Homes is also examining improvements to resident communications, repair request processes, and housing officer visibility. Residents in some city areas are currently being consulted about their service usage.
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Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said government requirements for social housing have provided an opportunity to invest in the stock and accelerate planned maintenance, ensuring tenants live in safe, decent homes. He expressed satisfaction with completed work and confidence that tenants will appreciate the meaningful improvements benefiting everyone.
