WEST Devon Borough Council has agreed to invest £80,400 of Second Home Council Tax income to help buy two new homes in the Borough - supporting its ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis.

The new homes will be bought under the Government's Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), with the second home council tax income and funding from other sources used to help towards the purchase. This will bring the Council’s total homes delivered through the LAHF scheme to 13.

The Council has also identified one of its existing larger LAHF properties as potential accommodation for young care leavers who find themselves with no place to call home.

The Council agreed to ringfence all of its second home council tax income for the purpose of housing projects across the Borough, highlighting its commitment to tackling the housing crisis head on.

Councillor Mark Renders, Lead Member for Housing at West Devon Borough Council, said: "Turning second home council tax into real, lived-in homes demonstrates how we are responding to the housing pressures our communities are facing - especially in areas with rising house prices.

"This investment isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about giving our residents somewhere safe and secure when they need it the most.”

This investment adds to a range of projects the Council is delivering to meet housing needs across the Borough.

New temporary accommodation on Plymouth Road in Tavistock will soon open, and several affordable housing developments are underway.

Through its West Devon Housing Offer, the Council is also helping communities explore and set up local housing initiatives such as Community Land Trusts—empowering residents to shape their own housing future.

For more information on housing in West Devon, visit: www.westdevon.gov.uk/housing