Hastings Borough Council is to lease up to 100 homes from property owners in a bid to address housing need in the area.
The scheme will help the council provide accommodation for low income families who struggle to rent in the private sector due to being on housing benefit.
Leader of the council, Cllr Jeremy Birch, said the council was also taking action after receiving complaints about the quality of housing in the borough.
‘Private sector rented accommodation in Hastings is becoming a real problem for local people,’ he explained.
‘Many low income households have said how difficult it is to get suitable accommodation because of the level of fees and deposits charged by letting agents and landlords, and a reluctance by some of these to let to those who receive housing benefit.’
The scheme is due to start in April and if successful, the council will increase the number of properties it leases in the future.
