Council to Consider Plan to Unlock Funds for Social Housing Investment in Bristol

Published On: July 18th, 2025

A new policy aimed at freeing up vital funds for new social housing and the maintenance of existing council homes is set to be discussed by Bristol councillors this Friday, 18 July.

The Homes and Housing Delivery Policy Committee will review the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Asset Evaluation Policy, which proposes a clear framework for evaluating and managing property assets held by the council’s Housing & Landlord Services. The goal is to release funds by selling or transferring underused, inefficient, or non-residential properties, with all proceeds reinvested directly into Bristol’s housing stock.

Bristol City Council owns more than 27,000 council homes and a number of additional properties such as shops, garages, offices, and parcels of open land. The draft policy aims to formalise how these properties are assessed, especially when they are no longer fit for housing use or are absorbing maintenance budgets without offering sufficient benefit to residents or the city.

Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, emphasised the importance of the policy:

“This draft policy sets out a clear rationale for assessing and determining the options available to manage property that is absorbing funds from our budget with limited benefit. Where a property isn’t adding meaningful value, we must explore whether it can be brought back into use or sold to reinvest the proceeds.”

Crucially, any money raised from property sales will stay within the Housing Service budget, ensuring direct reinvestment into council housing. When a residential property is sold, another will be built in its place over the life of the business plan. With over 800 new social rent homes already in the pipeline, the council aims to deliver a net gain of affordable housing.

Properties considered for sale will be carefully assessed. Those falling below housing standards and requiring excessive investment to bring them back into use will be prioritised. In such cases, transferring ownership to another service or organisation or selling the asset outright could offer a better route to generating value for housing investment.

The policy also sets out a robust and transparent review process. Every asset identified will go through a detailed evaluation and options appraisal. Relevant Area Committee councillors will be consulted to ensure local voices are considered, and other council departments will assess the potential for alternate use before sale is considered.

The HRA Asset Evaluation Policy identifies three main criteria for property evaluation:

Underutilisation – Properties that have been vacant for a significant time and are difficult to re-let.
Cost Inefficiency – Properties where maintenance costs exceed the income or value generated.
Energy Inefficiency – Properties that fall below energy performance standards, with upgrade costs deemed unaffordable.

Some properties, such as high-rise blocks, regeneration area homes, adapted housing, and leasehold-mixed properties, are excluded from the policy unless their sale directly supports community regeneration.

If approved, the Executive Director for Housing—working with the Committee Chair and Section 151 Officer—will make decisions in line with council procedures.

Initially, the council will assess its commercial and non-residential HRA properties. It has already identified 33 long-term vacant units for sale or transfer. A further 14 residential units will be reviewed in 2025/26, with 28 more annually over the next five years, each considered as they become vacant.

Councillor Parsons added:

“Being a responsible landlord means continually investing in our homes and securing sustainable funding. This policy helps us achieve both, while also ensuring every decision is transparent, accountable, and rooted in community needs.”

The draft policy is a key part of the council’s broader strategy to fund urgent repair programmes, housing upgrades, and new affordable homebuilding—ensuring that council tenants continue to benefit from safe, sustainable, and high-quality homes across Bristol.

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