Decision details

To purchase the following properties, as part of the Southwick Voluntary Buy Back programme approved by AJSSC in in June 2023:

·         2 Albion House, Southwick - £215,000

·         3 Albion House, Southwick - £250,000

·         14 Albion House, Southwick - £180,000

·         9 Channel View, Southwick - £220,000

·         31 Rock Close, Southwick - £215,000

·         21 Sea House, Southwick - £240,000

The AJSSC report approved in June 2023 proposed the acquisition of up to 10 homes on the Southwick Estate to facilitate the redevelopment of the estate and to provide temporary accommodation in the interim.  

To execute this programme, the Council publicised to leaseholders that there was limited funding available to purchase a number of leasehold flats at market value.  Almost 30 applications were received and properties were assessed by a Housing Officer and Adur Homes Surveyor, as well as a New Affordable Homes Officer, in regards to their suitability for purchase.  All properties were scored against an agreed set of criteria. Independent valuations were undertaken by a local agent and offers were put forward to properties that were suitable and within the budget available. 

The properties comprise 5 x 2-bed properties, and 1 x 1-bed property. They will be used as temporary accommodation. Housing Officers have approved all purchases and confirmed there was an urgent need for these properties in order to reduce expenditure on non-Council owned temporary accommodation options such as nightly paid provision. 

The project is funded by retained right to buy receipts, and borrowing.

The alternative is to do nothing, however the project will use the right to buy receipts (which must be used within 5 years of receipt to bring former Council homes back into Council ownership, and it will reduce Council expenditure on accommodating residents in non-Council owned temporary accommodation.  If the Southwick Estate is regenerated, it will also reduce the number of leasehold properties to be purchased at a later date to enable any possible redevelopment.