Torbay Council has welcomed a new national funding package and updated rules announced on February 23, 2026, to help build more social and affordable homes across Torquay, Devon. The council has been given a specific share of a government housing fund to help get local building projects started more quickly.
This support is part of a new £39 billion national plan called the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which begins this month. The programme aims to build 300,000 homes across the country, with at least 60 percent of those being for social rent.
New rules will also allow the council to manage up to 1,000 homes with less administrative paperwork, which is a significant increase from the previous limit of 200 homes. Councillor Alan Tyerman, who looks after housing for the council, said these changes will help them provide more homes and reduce the cost of paying for temporary housing.
The council plans to focus on building on old building sites and unused land, such as the recently finished Brampton House project which turned an old hotel into 14 modern apartments. Work is also continuing at the former St Kilda’s Care Home in Brixham, where 23 new homes for social rent are expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
