The city council has bought a block of 38 flats in Brighton as part of its mission to solve the area’s housing crisis.

Kubic Apartments, in Whitehawk Road, has remained empty since being built by a developer but will now become part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s social housing portfolio.

The block contains one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, two of which are wheelchair-accessible properties.  The developer describes the flats as "stylish and contemporary".

Some could be let to existing council tenants who want to downsize from a bigger property, which will help to free up larger family homes.

Councillors decided to buy the flats earlier this year and the sale was completed last week.

Councillor Gill Williams, chairwoman of the housing and new homes committee, said: "Providing more council homes is a top priority and buying this complete block of flats provides a substantial boost of 38 additional homes. 

“These are good quality flats which will be let to council tenants at social rents and we look forward to the first residents moving in. 

“The purchase is just one of a range of innovative ways we’re increasing the supply of council housing in the city. 

“We’re building new homes through our new-homes-for-neighbourhoods programme and the homes for Brighton and Hove partnership and buying back former council homes through our home purchase policy.”

It comes after the city council announced it is spending £13 million on improving fire safety across its council homes earlier this year.

It is a bid by the city council to get ahead of new legislation launched next spring to bring housing standards up to scratch following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

READ MORE: Brighton: Grenfell legislation sees housing safety upgrades

The project is also funding an updated asbestos management process, lift maintenance and improvements to gas, water, and electrical safety.

Cllr Williams said at the time: “I'm very pleased to see the positive progress made to get ahead of the expected new regulations on safety in council homes.

“Residents’ safety is our key priority and we're making every effort to make sure the highest safety standards are achieved in the city’s council homes.”