Holbeck set for major home upgrades under new regeneration scheme
Holbeck is set to see a major boost to its housing as a regeneration programme kicks off this month, aiming to make at least 180 homes “warmer and greener” in 2026.
The first phase of Leeds City Council’s Heart of Holbeck regeneration programme will include upgrades such as external wall insulation, new roofs, windows, and doors, all designed to make heating more affordable and energy-efficient.
The council said the improvements are expected to reduce fuel poverty and cold-related illnesses in “one of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods”, and will cover council, owner occupied and private rental sector properties.
Councillor Asghar Khan, the council’s executive member for communities, customer services, and community safety, said the scheme is about more than just housing.
He said: “This scheme isn’t just about improving homes – it’s about strengthening the community.
“By making properties warmer, safer, and more energy-efficient, we’re helping families reduce their bills, improve their health, and feel proud of where they live.”
The initiative builds on previous group housing work in Holbeck, as well as similar home improvements in Armley, Little London, and Seacroft.
Funding comes from a combination of sources, including a Local Regeneration Fund grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Warmer Homes grant, and other contributions.
Leeds City Council previously said 240 homes would be covered by the scheme, but the number of homes covered was reduced to 180 after the budged for the scheme well by around £1 million.
This phase is part of a broader £15.9 million investment that supports the council’s priorities in Holbeck, as set out in the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan covering 2017–2028. Later phases of the programme will see investment in local community facilities, as well as improvements to infrastructure, green spaces, and the wider environment.
Councillor Mary Harland, executive member for housing, said the programme is a step toward ensuring all Leeds residents have homes that provide a strong foundation for health and wellbeing.
She said: “We are determined that everyone in Leeds has a home that gives them the right foundation for leading a happy and healthy life.
“Schemes like this one move us another step towards achieving that hugely important goal.
“The work will make homes easier and cheaper to heat, a vital consideration at a time when many households are experiencing fuel poverty.
“There will also be environmental benefits, with improved energy efficiency for properties meaning a reduction in carbon emissions.”