More than 100 council tenants have moved into new homes as Milton Keynes City Council begins work to prepare former REEMA Blocks for future redevelopment.
The REEMA blocks, built in the 1960s, are being cleared as part of a major programme to improve housing quality across the city. Since 2023, the City Council has taken a phased approach to support tenants to move into better quality homes, with several blocks now vacant. All council tenants in phases one and two have now been rehoused, with the final phase expected to begin late 2026/early 2027. It is expected that all REEMA blocks will be empty by the end of 2028.
Industry experts had found that the blocks were originally built using a method that makes them more susceptible to the weather over time. It became clear to the city council that the type and cost of repairs required to keep these old buildings to an expected standard would become unmanageable.
Each tenant has been supported by a dedicated council officer, who worked closely with them to understand their needs and help them move into a home that better suits them. The programme is already making a difference for residents, including Barry (pictured above), who has been rehoused in a bungalow, removing the challenge of managing stairs.
Contractors are now working at Argyll, Sawley, Edinburgh and Stirling House, stripping out the empty buildings by removing fixtures and fittings ahead of demolition. The sites are fully fenced to prevent trespassing, with further work continuing.
The buildings are due to start coming down later this summer, with all four blocks set to be demolished one after another and the sites cleared later this year. This will allow time to consider future plans for the sites, including what new homes could be built, available funding, and discussions with the local community.
“Moving more than 100 households into new, better-quality homes is a big step. We’ve worked closely with tenants to support their move and help them settle into homes that better suit their needs. This is about making sure people feel comfortable and secure, while we also look ahead and plan what comes next for these sites and the new homes that could replace them.”