Preston City Council is seeking to secure 19 council-owned affordable homes after submitting a conditional offer to a private developer.

The properties in North Preston consist of both new builds and houses of standard construction, providing a combination of family homes and apartments that are due for practical completion between November 2026 and April 2028.

According to the council, officers were granted permission to submit a conditional offer last month. If accepted, final approval from the full council will be required later this year.

The local authority has highlighted its growing reliance on temporary accommodation in recent years amid the rising demand for social and affordable rented homes.

However, it has explained that for the last 20 years, the only providers of social and affordable accommodation have been registered providers, due to the council passing over its housing stock to Community Gateway Association.

In a statement published yesterday, the council confirmed that it will be able to boost the supply of socially rented homes through direct ownership, supporting better outcomes for priority households.

Cllr Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: ‘It has been over a generation since the council last held and managed its own housing stock, and it is a long-held ambition to own quality affordable housing again in the city, and another way to help tackle the shortage of quality, social rented, affordable homes available to Preston residents.’

To advance the process, the council will be required to apply to become a registered provider and appoint a registered provider management partner that will complete repairs and management services.

Cllr Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building, said the council has provided the greatest number of affordable homes in Lancashire since 2015 through registered providers, but emphasised that the providers cannot meet demand for homes.

She added: ‘In addition, whilst the majority of affordable homes have been provided at affordable rents (80% of market rents), we now have evidence that more social rented homes are needed (with a larger % discount in rents).’