Newcastle City Council leader Cllr Karen Kilgour has outlined a decade-long programme to deliver up to 15,000 homes across the city, aimed at fostering stronger, more cohesive neighbourhoods as well as meeting growing housing demand.
Cllr Kilgour first pledged in July last year to confront Newcastle’s housing pressures by accelerating the delivery of new social homes. She has since pressed the Government for additional funding to back an ambitious vision for the city’s housing future.
Officials have been developing proposals and lobbying ministers in the months since, with a comprehensive strategy now set to be published that maps out how thousands of homes will be built and communities renewed over the next 10 years.
Central to the plans is the creation of 1,500 new council homes for Geordies currently on the housing register. These properties will prioritise larger family homes and adapted accommodation for disabled residents, reflecting a commitment to inclusion and meeting diverse needs.
Cllr Kilgour has also asked officers to curb the number of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and bring empty homes back into use, to nurture balanced neighbourhoods and reduce transient living patterns.
She said the scale of development isn’t just about building homes, it’s about shaping new communities that can deliver real improvements for residents.
The West Fenham councillor said: “We know how vital it is for people to have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality homes, and this programme will deliver exactly that.
“But it isn’t only about bricks and mortar, it’s also about shaping new communities with neighbourhoods that work better for residents, which may involve some selective demolition and rebuilding.
“By investing in council housing, developing more robust infrastructure and working with partners, we will build a Newcastle that works for everyone.”
Council homes will be developed right across the city, with advanced plans already in train for sites in Walker, Elswick, Blakelaw, Forth Yards and a series of smaller plots.
Funding from the North East Combined Authority will help speed up delivery, with construction on some schemes expected to get underway later this year.
Alongside the council’s programme, private developers and registered providers are expected to bring forward around 13,500 additional homes, many of which will include affordable housing secured through planning agreements.
The combined pipeline is intended to help more residents onto the property ladder or into high-quality rented accommodation, ensuring a balanced mix of tenure and types across Newcastle’s neighbourhoods.
Tackling HMOs and empty properties is a key strand of the plan, aimed at creating stable, sustainable communities that support local schools, businesses and social networks.
The council noted that the private rented sector already serves over 28,000 households. It also aims to see an additional almost 2,000 high-quality homes built for social, affordable or private rent, broadening choice and flexibility for residents.
Cllr Kilgour continued: “Everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to call home. We’re committed to delivering the homes our city and region vitally need – homes that are safe, genuinely affordable, well-designed, and that help tackle the housing crisis head-on, and this programme will deliver exactly that. But it isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it’s about creating places where people can build their lives, connect with neighbours, and feel part of something bigger.
“We need to shape the housing market to better respond to pressures and meet the needs of our growing population. That means the right homes in the right communities, with a mix of tenure for all.”
Further details of the strategy are due to be presented to the Council’s Cabinet in February.
Image: Aerial CGI of Forth Yards
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