Colchester City Council has officially adopted its updated 30-year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan - laying out a financially sound strategy to maintain and enhance council housing, deliver new homes, and support residents across the city.
With growing pressures on housing, including increasing numbers of families in temporary accommodation and a lengthy housing waiting list, the revised plan marks a critical step toward addressing Colchester’s housing challenges.
The HRA Business Plan ensures continued investment in maintaining homes to a safe and decent standard, while also supporting the delivery of genuinely affordable new housing to meet rising demand. Developed in partnership with housing experts at Savills the plan responsibly manages overall debt while prioritising quality and supply. A “fabric first” strategy will boost energy efficiency in the least energy-efficient homes, cutting carbon emissions and helping residents reduce their energy bills.
To keep the plan on track, six-monthly reviews will allow the Council to closely monitor progress, quickly identify risks, and make timely adjustments. Input from tenants played a key role in shaping the plan, balancing the need for immediate repairs with long-term investment in new kitchens, bathrooms and other key elements of existing homes.
Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), the Council’s Arm’s Length Management Organisation, remains central to delivering housing services. CBH’s work on housing management, financial inclusion, tenancy support, and community wellbeing continues to be integral to the plan’s success.
Cllr Julie Young, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "This plan is grounded in realism, guided by responsibility, and driven by ambition. It reflects the scale of the housing challenges we face and our determination to overcome them. We’re proud to work alongside tenants, staff, and partners like CBH to deliver homes that are safe, decent, and affordable for everyone."
With the previous HRA Business Plan no longer fit for purpose - partly due to constraints from central government - the newly approved plan offers a clear and credible way forward. It provides the foundation for continued investment in Colchester’s housing stock, ongoing support for residents, and a fairer, more sustainable future for the community.
Page last reviewed: 16 July 2025