Colchester City Council counts 100 affordable homes from April to September 2026 and is supporting 616 households facing homelessness. Updated November 2026.
Colchester City Council counts 100 affordable homes between April and September 2026, and at the end of October it was supporting 616 households facing homelessness. The figures are in the council’s half-year performance report, which goes to its Scrutiny Panel today, 11 November, and to Cabinet on 2 December.
The 100 are made up of three parts. Housing associations and other Registered Providers delivered 37 affordable homes in partnership with the council, and the council’s own housebuilding and buying programme added 13. The other 50 were secured from developers through Section 106 agreements, the planning deals that require a share of affordable housing on new schemes.
Where the 100 homes came from
| Route | Homes, April to September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Partnerships with Registered Providers | 37 |
| Council’s own housebuilding and acquisitions | 13 |
| Secured through Section 106 agreements | 50 |
| Total | 100 |
Cllr Paul Dundas, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “Delivering 100 affordable homes in the first six months of the year is a positive step at a time when demand for housing remains extremely high.
“We know there is much more to do, but we’re continuing to work with partners to increase affordable housing, temporary accommodation supply, alongside delivering our planned regeneration projects, neighbourhood improvements and community projects across Colchester.
“While we continue to face challenges around housing demand and council finances, we’re focused on maintaining momentum and delivering for our communities.”
616 households facing homelessness
The council says it has continued to expand the supply and improve the quality of its temporary accommodation. On 31 October 2026 it was supporting 616 households facing homelessness. It is also consulting on its new Local Plan, which will set where future homes in the city go.
Over the same six months the council helped 3,311 households get cost of living support, including financial help, energy advice and essential household support, it said.
Play parks, Greenstead and the boating lake
Improvements to five play parks were finished in the half year, the report says. Work continues on the Heart of Greenstead project, and the council has committed to restoring the Castle Park boating lake. It also says it is working with partners on neighbourhood health and care services.
Cllr David King, Deputy Leader, said: “Improvements being delivered across Colchester. From affordable homes and upgraded play parks to action on fly-tipping, regeneration projects and investment in our heritage, we’re delivering projects that make a real difference to residents. Whilst continuing to help those struggling most with the cost of living.”
Fly-tipping cameras and new cleaning machines
On environmental crime, the council has put new trail cameras at fly-tipping hotspots and run joint enforcement and community education. It has bought new cleaning equipment for the city centre and is carrying on with its recycling and waste strategy.
Trinity Square, St Botolph’s and the bus station
Work at Trinity Square is expected to finish in early 2027. Construction is under way at St Botolph’s Circus and on the East Hill cycle route, and residents are being asked for their views on the new bus station interchange at Painters Yard.
On heritage, the report lists progress on the Colchester Castle roof works, funding approval to restore the Lion Walk Mosaic, support for the Banksy exhibition at the Minories and continued work on plans for the Natural History Museum. Earlier this month councillors considered restoring buried gravestones found at Holy Trinity.
When councillors discuss it
The full half-year report is in the agenda papers for the Scrutiny Panel on 11 November. It then goes to Cabinet on 2 December 2026.
The Cabinet pictured at the top, back row from left: Cllr David King (deputy leader; local government reorganisation, communities and public protection), Cllr Martin Goss (waste, neighbourhoods and leisure), Cllr Paul Dundas (leader; strategy), Cllr William Sunnucks (resources and assets) and Cllr Darius Laws (culture, heritage and environment). Front row: Cllr Rhys Smithson (housing), Cllr Alison Jay (economic growth, transformation and digital) and Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan (planning and sustainable development).
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