North Lanarkshire Council to build 6000 new homes by 2035

North Lanarkshire Council has announced plans for 6000 additional council homes by 2035 as part of its latest Local Housing Strategy (LHS), a two-year blueprint designed to shape the future of housing and related services across the area.

The strategy, developed with input from tenants, focuses on delivering more homes, improving standards, and promoting sustainability across all housing sectors.

North Lanarkshire Council has announced plans for 6000 additional council homes by 2035 (Image: Jacqui Bradley NLC)

Councillor Michael McPake, housing convener for North Lanarkshire Council, said: "Our LHS has delivered significant milestones across our housing service.

"From building more homes and rolling out exciting digital connectivity plans to installing more energy efficiency measures and supporting people out of fuel poverty, we’re changing the lives of people in our communities and the communities themselves.

"We’ll continue to build on our progress to realise our vision to make North Lanarkshire the place to live through the provision of high-quality housing and support in sustainable communities, that enables people to thrive and prosper."

Key priorities within the new strategy include unlocking development sites, continuing to expand the council’s buy-back scheme to increase the supply of affordable homes, and providing digital connectivity to council tenants.

There is also a focus on improving housing standards across all tenures, helping homes out of fuel poverty by using smart technology, and supporting clean heating systems while continuing to work with partners to ensure advice, information and support is available for those households in or at risk from fuel poverty.

The strategy also outlines actions for preventing and eradicating homelessness, embedding trauma-informed practice, and increasing efforts to tackle domestic abuse.

Thousands more council homes are set to be built as part of a major housing strategy. (Image: Supplied)

Supporting independence and wellbeing remains a central theme, with a commitment to delivering a minimum of 10% of all council new build homes to wheelchair ‘liveable’ standards.

The council is also working with health and social care partners to source housing solutions to help young people transitioning from care and people with complex needs requiring accommodation through the Coming Home Programme to live in their home communities.

Progress made under the previous 2021-2026 LHS has already led to an increase in the council’s new homes target from 5000 to 6000.

More than £59 million has been invested in improving the quality of existing homes, including upgrades to roofs, heating systems, kitchens, and bathrooms.

More than 6000 energy efficiency measures have been installed across the housing stock, including solar panels, new energy efficiency heating, and triple-glazed windows.

The council has also generated £20 million for tenants by housing staff.

Digital inclusion is another key element of the strategy, with a masterplan approved and a new pilot project for smart technology in homes.

Looking ahead, the council will also continue to work with private landlords to raise standards in the rented sector.

Plans include facilitating a private landlord forum to share information and best practices to improve standards in the private sector.

The council will maintain a focus on supporting people in or at risk of homelessness.

This includes actions set out in its Homelessness Action Plan and a continued commitment to trauma-informed approaches.

The latest strategy reaffirms North Lanarkshire Council’s intention to deliver inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone has the opportunity to live well.

Councillor McPake said: "We’ll continue to build on our progress to realise our vision."